UPDATE 2: I found Google's support page for Health Connect's new backup & restore feature, and it says this feature is only available on Android 14 and later, ie. devices with the Health Connect Mainline module and not the Play Store version of the app.

🌐 The Pixel Tablet finally gets Google VPN support in Android 15 QPR2

Google's tablet was initially excluded from the rollout of its free, Pixel-exclusive VPN by Google service, but that's finally changed with the latest Android beta.

Details can be found here.

💻 Source: Google is turning Chrome OS into Android to compete with the iPad

Android is becoming Google's operating system of choice when it comes to PCs, and in a few years, I've heard we'll even see Chromebooks ship with Android.

More details can be found in this article on Android Authority.

A few months ago, I heard that Google was working on an Android laptop, but I didn't know if it would have Pixel branding or be released as a product.

Today, Android Headlines revealed that Google is working on a Pixel Laptop, & I believe it'll run Android instead of Chrome OS.

Wow: the DoJ's antitrust enforcers are "set to propose that Google uncouple its Android smartphone operating system from its other products, including search and its Google Play mobile app store," according to Bloomberg.

The DoJ has reportedly also "pulled back from a more severe option that would have forced Google to sell off Android," but forcing the company to stop bundling GMS would still be huge.

Details are sparse on what exactly this would mean. Notably, device makers can technically already ship Android without GMS (it's just AOSP in that case). However, if they want the Play Store and Play Services (which they do because that's where all the apps/useful APIs are), then they currently have to bundle Chrome, Google Search, and other Google apps as well.

The EU already put an end to the forced bundling of Google Search and Chrome, which is why there's a separate GMS license for EEA launches. But that hasn't happened in the U.S. yet, which is possibly what the DoJ wants to see happen.

A new variant of the Helldown ransomware is now targeting #Linux and virtualized infrastructures via VMware, broadening its attack surface to industries like #healthcare, manufacturing, and IT services.
With evolving tactics, this marks a major shift in ransomware strategies, now focusing on virtual machines and cloud-based infrastructures.

Learn how Helldown is evolving — https://thehackernews.com/2024/11/new-helldown-ransomware-expands-attacks.html

Ngioweb malware is fueling a massive proxy service, NSOCKS, with 80% of its bots coming from vulnerable IoT devices like routers and cameras.

This botnet runs a daily average of 35,000 active bots, with some remaining in operation for over a month.

Learn how this botnet operates — https://thehackernews.com/2024/11/ngioweb-botnet-fuels-nsocks-residential.html

Wondering if Raspberry Pi's SD card is worth it?

https://itsfoss.com/raspberry-pi-sd-card/

Samsung Announces Six Years of Updates for These Models!
https://www.gizchina.com/2024/11/11/samsung-announces-six-years-of-updates-for-these-models/

Xiaomi HyperOS 2 Global Schedule Officially Released
https://www.gizchina.com/2024/11/14/xiaomi-hyperos-2-global-schedule-officially-released/

ARC Search is officially now on Android

Wristkey

Wristkey is an open-source 2FA client for Wear OS (but it works on any Android-based smartwatch!).

Features:

✅ Can be used without pairing your watch to a phone.
✅ Imports (and exports) from Aegis Authenticator, andOTP and Bitwarden using ADB, WiFi or file imports.
✅ Screen locking via PIN, pattern and password.
✅ Local storage encrypted using 256-bit AES-GCM.
✅ WiFi transfers encrypted using XSalsa20-Poly1305 and X25519.
✅ Time and counter mode OTPs, up to SHA512 and 4-8 digits.
✅ Supports round and square devices.

https://github.com/0x4f53/Wristkey

#app #android

How To Hide Personal Photos and Videos

For Android:

To natively hide your photos on an Android device, open up your File Manager. Add a new folder, but start the name with a period. Example: .Secrets.

When you move your photos and videos into this folder, they won't appear in your gallery or albums. ❗️You can only access them through your file manager. 👌

For iPhone:

Just select the photo you want to conceal, and tap "Hide" at the bottom of the screen. This will move the image to your Hidden" folder, and it'll stay out of any Moments, Collections, or Albums.

These device-native hiding techniques aren't password protected or encrypted, though, so using them is more risky. If someone knows your phone passcode, they can still access it.

Also there are apps for this task (password protected or encrypted). Would it be interesting for you to know about them?

#security

How to store text messages safely?

We store most of our valuable information in text form, and if fraudsters gain access, the situation will be very unpleasant.

Paranoia Text Encryption protects your notes, cryptocurrency keys, emails, social media posts and any other text from spies, hackers and prying eyes.

The app provides real security because data is encrypted using strong encryption algorithms: Blowfish 448bit, AES 256bit, RC6 256bit, Serpent 256bit, Twofish 256bit, GOST 256bit +.

Simply copy and paste to and from your favorite apps or save to a file for later use. Available on Android, iOS, Windows, Linux.

#security #lifehack #android #windows #linux

Encrypt your data 

You need to securely protect your data. One of the best tools for it is VeraCrypt. It's simple, easy to install, you just have to come up with a strong password and not store it digitally.

My laptop hard drive has been encrypted for years: I enter a password every time that can neither be recovered nor reset.

VeraCrypt is used by hackers, investigators, journalists and anyone else who deals with important data. So far, not a single intelligence agency in the world has managed to decipher VeraCrypt algorithms.

#security #windows #linux #mac

Send Messages, Not Metadata

Your correspondence can be read in almost all messengers. The exception is Telegram, but it is not completely anonymous - it requires you to enter your phone number to register. If it comes up, you will be easily identified.

Session is an end-to-end encrypted messenger that minimises sensitive metadata, designed and built for people who want absolute privacy and freedom from any form of surveillance. It does not ask for an email or 📱 number when you register, but assigns you an ID - a set of hundreds of characters. It looks like a long nickname that you can share with your interlocutor to start a chat.

The app looks like a normal messenger - you can send documents, voice messages, there are groups, but it's completely anonymous. The company has no servers, the routing goes through users - it means that leaks of personal data are simply impossible.

Available on iPhone, Android and PC.

Use it!

#security

How to Turn Off/On All Sensors on Android Phone With a Tap

While Android offers quick toggles to disable location tracking and cellular connectivity, there’s no direct option to switch off the rest of your phone’s sensors. For example, gyroscope can use to intercept sensitive information like passwords, account names from your 📱. Luckily, Android has a hidden setting that lets you shut off all your phone’s sensors in a single tap.

✅ Go to Settings > About phone > and tap build number 7 times to enable Developer Options.
✅In Settings, go to System > Advanced > and tap on Developer Options.
✅ Scroll down and tap on Quick settings developer tiles.
✅ Now, tap on Sensors off toggle to add the tile on the Quick Settings panel.
✅Now, to on and off sensors, pull down the Quick Settings panel, and tap on the Sensors off tile.

#security #android

Upscayl

Free and Open Source AI Image Upscaler
Upscayl lets you enlarge and enhance low-resolution images using advanced AI algorithms. Enlarge images without losing quality. It's almost like magic! 🎩🪄

Upscayl is a cross-platform application built with the Linux-first philosophy. This means that Linux users receive pre-release builds earlier, but Upscayl itself is available on all major desktop operating systems.

https://upscayl.org/

#lifehack #AI