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Google will now require external AOSP contributions to be reviewed
Two Google reviewers must sign off on these types of contributions
Most of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) is licensed under Apache 2.0, which means that anyone can modify its code. It’s this type of model that also allows AOSP to grow through internal and external contributions alike. Google has developed a guide to help people understand how to contribute code to AOSP, and it’s even used some of this content to build new features. However, one drawback to this approach is simultaneously giving bad actors an easy way to thwart the entire system. In response to security concerns, Google is increasing its scrutiny of external contributions.
What is an algorithm, exactly?
What is an algorithm, and how does it work? These processes are all around us. Let's take a closer look at them
The word "algorithm" is ubiquitous these days. However, like many tech terms that get thrown around, its meaning isn't always clear to casual audiences. Since it seems like algorithms are everywhere and doing everything, many people have grown confused about what this software does. Are you using algorithms every time you pull out your Android phone? Almost certainly.
Samsung confirms massive hack, but says user data is safe
Hackers claim they have source code, encryption keys
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The hacking group Lapsus$ recently targeted Nvidia, demanding the chipmaker eliminate a feature in some GPUs that limits hash rates while mining Ethereum cryptocurrency. The hackers made it clear they had the goods by first leaking internal Nvidia email handles and cryptographically hashed passwords, then setting a deadline of March 4. Lapsus$ isn't stopping there — now Samsung is under the gun, and valuable source code is once again at stake.
Google adds Play promo code support for France
Argentina and Romania have been taken off the list for some reason
It's not something those of us in the US consider often, but promo codes for free apps can't be issued by developers globally. Instead, Google maintains a list of countries that are eligible. Today's update is the first we've posted about in over two years; it adds five countries, but takes two away.
Code repository service GitHub released its shiny new mobile app earlier this year, but work on the application didn't stop there. The v1.1 update made reviewing pull requests and finding code in a project much easier, and now v1.2 is rolling out.
GitHub for Android adds support for mentions, switching branches, and more
Manage your code on the go
The new GitHub app for Android and iOS left beta last month, after a few weeks of beta testing. Alongside the announcement of a new pricing structure for teams, GitHub revealed the first minor update for its mobile app.
GitHub app for Android and iOS leaves beta, now available for all
Browse code, comment on issues, and confirm merges on the go
GitHub used to have an official Android app years ago, but it was pulled from the Play Store in 2015. Since then, you've had to use a third-party app (or the mobile site, if you were desperate) to access the code-hosting service on the go. GitHub released an all-new mobile app in beta last month, and now it's ready for prime time.
GitHub is the largest code hosting service in existence, but only now is it getting back into producing mobile apps. The company released an Android app in 2012, then removed it in 2015. Two months ago, GitHub revealed that a brand new app would enter beta soon, and now it has finally arrived.
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- The new app is now available, see this post for more details.
GitHub is perhaps the largest code hosting service in existence right now, but its mobile presence has been... lacking. The company did release an Android app back in 2012, but it was removed from the Play Store in 2015. GitHub announced a brand new app today, but without a clear launch date for Android.
While many people are enjoying — or lamenting — the upgrade to Android 10, there are some out there that are just as interested in the final source code. With each major release of Android, a huge code drop is made to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) with everything a developer needs to build the latest version of the OS. As of this morning, the code is now fully available and ready for consumption.
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- If the Pixel 4 were to get a telephoto zoom, that would be interesting enough, but it would still leave us with plenty of other questions about what to expect from the camera's hardware, not the least of which being resolution. It's far from a certainty, but some additional lines from this new Camera APK may just clue us in.
Google has proven that it can produce class-leading camera results even with just one sensor on the back, but the company will finally be adding a secondary lens with the Pixel 4. According to Google Camera v6.3, obtained from a leaked Q Beta 5 build (and available for download here), this secondary camera might be of the telephoto variety.
This year eBay has been aggressively pushing sitewide discount codes from 10-20% off, though the window to use them is short. Today we have another: 15% off up to a maximum $100 discount. The catch (and there always is at least one) is that you'll have to use it before 6:00 PM Pacific Time tonight.
eBay really, really likes running site-wide discounts. Sometimes it's 15% and sometimes it's even 20%, but eBay has deemed today a good day for the 15% one. We're not sure how these codes are financially prudent for eBay, but hey, we're not going to complain.
eBay's been offering a ton of sitewide discounts lately, with two codes (one 20% and one 15%) already shared earlier this month. Now eBay is taking 15% off anything on its site yet again, and the discount is capped at $50 just as it was last time. Hurry, though; the offer ends in about six hours.
Like most other companies do when they launch an expensive new flagship phone, Google offered a free product with the purchase of a Pixel 2 or 2 XL - in this case, the Home Mini. Exactly four weeks after Google told Pixel 2 pre-orderers that their Home Mini codes would come within four weeks of their phones shipping, we've begun to receive tips from readers who are getting their codes right now.
The Essential Phone wasn't at the top of our list when it came out, and while there were a lot of little reasons for that, the prime determiner of its value—and our disappointment—was the price. At $700 it wasn't really worth it. But when the phone dropped down to $500 earlier this week our opinion changed drastically. And now it turns out there's even a way to get one for just $300 plus taxes. That is, if you are lucky enough to know someone that plopped down the $700 full price.
When pre-orders went live during the Google event last week, there was a bit of confusion regarding the free Home Mini you get for purchasing a Pixel 2. Google has recently updated the listing for the Pixel in the Google Store, and it's started emailing some extra information to those who made a purchase. Free Home Mini promo codes associated with a Pixel 2 pre-order will be emailed within 4 weeks after the phone ships.
Motorola is on a roll recently with its kernel source releases and the latest is for the Moto Z2 Force. The device launched in the US in August and it seems that a few users were already antsy about grabbing the kernel code because they raised an issue on the Moto GitHub. Well, their wait is now over since the release is official.
You may have watched OnePlus' recent launch event, which announced and demonstrated all the cool new features of the OnePlus 5. OnePlus might not have made things as clear as they could have during the live-stream, but they did actually drop the code for their "early drop" order system. So if you didn't catch it during the event — most of us didn't, either — you can pick it up here after the break. Who doesn't want to be at the front of the line?
