Author

Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer who started his career on PC World and has written for dozens of computer and technology magazines, as well as numerous national newspapers, business and in-flight magazines. He has also written two novels.

He thinks wires are evil and had a custom desk made to hide them, known as the OC Desk for obvious reasons.

He considers 1000 miles a good distance for a cycle ride, and Chernobyl a suitable tourist destination. What can we say, he’s that kind of chap.

He speaks fluent English but only broken American, so please forgive any Anglicised spelling in his posts.

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Google offering no-strings startup grants for innovative digital journalism projects

Ben Lovejoy Oct 22 2015 - 7:07 am PT

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It’s not every day that a digital startup gets offered between €50k and €1M ($56k to $1.2M) in funding without having to hand over a single share in return, but that’s exactly what Google has today announced in Europe.

The company is offering grants – not loans or investments – to companies looking to innovate in the field of digital journalism.

The DNI Innovation Fund aims to tackle that problem by providing non-refundable support for projects that demonstrate new thinking in the practice of digital journalism, that promote the development of new business models or maybe even change the way users consume digital news.

The fund, which opens for applications today, is part of a Digital News Initiative first announced back in April. It was promoted by Google finding itself in conflict with a number of news organizations concerned that it was effectively stealing their content. The company has since been working hard to attempt to make friends with publishers.

Photo: AP Photo/Marcio

Samsung Pay finally available to Verizon users with a Galaxy S6/edge/edge+ or Note 5

Ben Lovejoy Oct 21 2015 - 5:34 am PT

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With Verizon’s logo notably absent from the list of Samsung Pay U.S. launch partners, it had been unclear if or when the company might allow its customers to use the service. That uncertainty has now ended, with the app available to Verizon customers in the Google Play store. Customers on other carriers have been able to download the app since August.

You’ll need to have a compatible device, which currently means either a Galaxy S6/edge/edge+ or a Note 5. It is so far supported by cards from American Express, Bank of America, Citi and US Bank …
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Google design blog reveals the surprising secret behind the new Marshmallow wallpaper … paper [plus free extra downloads]

Ben Lovejoy Oct 21 2015 - 3:57 am PT

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If you’re an early adopter of Android 6.0 Marshmallow and liked the new wallpapers, there’s one thing about them you’d probably never have guessed. The wallpapers from the latest mobile OS from one of the largest tech companies in the world were created using … paper.

In a post on Google’s design blog, the company shares some behind-the-scenes images of how the images were created using paper, paint, ink and powder – and there’s something quite charming about it …
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PSA: Beware 1Password web features can leak your browsing history, may show up in Google search

Ben Lovejoy Oct 20 2015 - 5:08 am PT

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1password

AgileBits has promised to beef up the security of 1Password after a Microsoft software engineer discovered that details of which websites you visit are unencrypted and indexed by Google if you use the 1PasswordAnywhere feature. Dale Myers said that he discovered this by chance after a sync problem led him to investigate the files used to store the metadata.

It turns out that your metadata isn’t encrypted [allowing someone to] go through and find out exactly what shady sites I have accounts on, what software I have licences for, the bank card and accounts I hold, the titles of any secure notes I have, any anything else I’ve decided to store in there.

While passwords remain secure, privacy is placed at risk and the data obtained could, says Myers, be used in a phishing attempt.

Thanks to people having links for easy access to their keychain on their websites, Google has indexed some of these. A simple search brings up results. By looking at one of these it was a simple matter to identify the owner of the keychain and where he lived. I know what his job is. I even know the names of his wife and children. If I was malicious, it would be easy to convince someone that I had compromised their account and had access to all of their credentials.

AgileBits said that the decision not to encrypt metadata was taken back in 2008, when decryption on mobile devices involved significant performance and battery-drain issues, and that it introduced a secure file format in 2012, but that it didn’t want to break compatibility with older versions by making that format the default.

The company said that work on making the secure file format the default was already in hand.

We’ve already started making changes to use OPVault as the default format. In fact, the latest beta of 1Password for Windows does this already. Similar changes are coming to Mac and iOS soon, and we’re planning on using the new format in Android in the future. Once all of these things are complete, we will add an automatic migration for all 1Password users.

For those who don’t want to wait, the company has posted instructions for manually migrating to the new format.

The 1Password Android app was updated in August with a freemium pricing model and the ability to create vaults on mobile. If you’re not yet using a password manager, check out our how-to guide over on 9to5Mac.

Via Engadget

Uber pushing AMBER Alerts to its drivers nationwide, after initial pilot in Colorado

Ben Lovejoy Oct 14 2015 - 4:41 am PT

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Uber has announced that it will be sending location-based AMBER alerts to its drivers across all 180 U.S. cities in which it operates, following a successful trial in Colorado.

AMBER alerts provide information on missing children, including description and last known location, so that the public can be on the look out for them. Since the launch of the scheme in 1996, a total of 722 children have been safely found as a direct result of an AMBER alert.

Robert Hoever, director of special programs at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, described the Uber program as “an incredible asset.”

The AMBER Alert program’s success is built on the ability to reach the right people at the right time with these potentially life-saving messages. Uber’s presence in communities all across the country will be an incredible asset and we are proud to team up with Uber to increase the reach of the AMBER Alert program and help bring more missing children home safely.

Apps have proven a powerful addition to the AMBER alerts program, with mobile apps from Facebook and Waze already supporting them. Google added the alerts to search and maps back in 2012.

Via The Verge

Android

Sketchy report claims now-dead Amazon India page confirmed OnePlus Mini name and specs

Ben Lovejoy Oct 13 2015 - 5:12 am PT

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For a device whose existence has not even been confirmed by OnePlus, we’re getting a veritable flurry of claimed leaks. After earlier alleged photos from China, Indian site TrueTech reports that Amazon India accidentally posted a product page for the device (above), confirming both the name and the specs.

The specs show a 5-inch 1080p display, though the claimed 401ppi doesn’t quite add up – but it’s possible that five inches is an approximate size. The device is said to use a MediaTek MT6795 processor, have 2GB RAM and 32GB storage.

An even sketchier rumor suggests that the OnePlus Mini would come with a force-sensing touchscreen developed by Synaptics to offer similar functionality to 3D Touch in the latest iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. This is a feature which Synaptics had suggested would be available only on flagship handsets.

Sketchy leak suggests Pepsi set to enter the smartphone business, with mid-range phablet launching next week [Update: Confirmed]

Ben Lovejoy Oct 12 2015 - 6:40 am PT

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pepsi-phone-p1

Update: According to a report out of Reuters this morning, the sugar water maker is indeed planning to launch a smartphone. At this time, however, the plans are only for China.

“Available in China only, this effort is similar to recent globally licensed Pepsi products which include apparel and accessories,” a spokeswoman told Reuters.

Never mind Android versus Apple, if the rumors are true, the next smartphone battle could be Pepsi v Coke. Mobipicker spotted what appears to be a verified Pepsi page on the Chinese social media site Weibo with a ‘Pepsi phone’ banner.
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No Samsung Pay customer data compromised by LoopPay hack, says Samsung

Ben Lovejoy Oct 8 2015 - 4:37 am PT

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Samsung has said that a hack at LoopPay reported in the New York Times did not compromise any of its customer data. LoopPay’s technology forms part of the company’s electronic wallet offering, Samsung Pay.

Samsung Pay was not impacted and at no point was any personal payment information at risk. This was an isolated incident that targeted the LoopPay office network, which is a physically separate network from Samsung Pay. The LoopPay incident was resolved and had nothing to do with Samsung Pay …

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Google, Apple & Microsoft called out on “pretend” overseas tax arrangements by Citizens for Tax Justice

Ben Lovejoy Oct 7 2015 - 6:32 am PT

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Lobbying group Citizens for Tax Justice has called out Google, Apple and Microsoft and others for what it described as “accounting tricks” in which companies “pretend” to be based overseas for tax purposes. The claims were made in a report entitled Offshore Shell Games 2015.

Many multinational corporations use accounting tricks to pretend for tax purposes that a substantial portion of their profits are generated in offshore tax havens, countries with minimal or no taxes where a company’s presence may be as little as a mailbox. Multinational corporations’ use of tax havens allows them to avoid an estimated $90 billion in federal income taxes each year.

Google’s overseas tax arrangements came under fire in the UK back in 2013 when it was revealed that the company paid just £6M ($9.4M) on a UK turnover of £395M ($620M), claiming that all its advertising sales were made by staff in Ireland (a claim later challenged) …

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Samsung predicts first return to profit growth in two years – but thanks to chips, not phones

Ben Lovejoy Oct 7 2015 - 4:29 am PT

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There’s good news and bad news for Samsung today. The good news: the company has forecast a reversal of its seven-quarter decline in profits, suggesting an impressive year-on-year hike of almost 80%.

The bad news is that, while the company itself hasn’t released any details on where the profit is coming from, analysts cited by the WSJ and elsewhere put it down to strong growth in sales of chips and displays – not phone sales. This suggests that Samsung is making its money by helping other manufacturers, like Apple, sell their phones …
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More than 30% of U.S. children first use a mobile device while in diapers, says American Academy of Pediatrics

Ben Lovejoy Oct 6 2015 - 5:28 am PT

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Family relaxing in bed together

Updated parental guidelines are needed to help make informed decisions about the use of technology by children, says the American Academy of Pediatrics, as it revealed that more than 30% of U.S. children first use a mobile device while still in diapers. The AAP says that “digital life begins at a young age, and so must parental guidance.”

The Academy says that its existing policy statement was actually drafted before the first iPad was launched, which kickstarted the popularity of tablets as consumer devices. A two-day symposium held earlier this year generated twelve key messages, based not just on limiting screen time but also on distinguishing helpful from harmful use of technology …
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Porsche rejects Android Auto for new 911, saying that Google demands access to too much data

Ben Lovejoy Oct 6 2015 - 4:55 am PT

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Update: While Google has not commented directly on Porsche’s reported rejection of Android Auto, the company made a statement to The Verge in which it denied that it currently collects any of the data mentioned in the original report. It does not go as far as saying that it has not requested access to such data.

“We take privacy very seriously and do not collect the data the Motor Trend article claims such as throttle position, oil temp, and coolant temp,” Google said in a statement to The Verge. “Users opt in to share information with Android Auto that improves their experience, so the system can be hands-free when in drive, and provide more accurate navigation through the car’s GPS.”

Sportscar manufacturer Porsche has rejected Android Auto for the 2017 version of its famous 911, saying that Google demands access to too much data, reports Motor Trend.

As part of the agreement an automaker would have to enter with Google, certain pieces of data must be collected and [sent] back to Mountain View, California. Stuff like vehicle speed, throttle position, coolant and oil temp, engine revs—basically Google wants a complete OBD2 dump whenever someone activates Android Auto.

Porsche has approved Apple’s CarPlay, as this requires access to only a single piece of data: whether or not the car is moving.

Porsche’s parent company Volkswagen is, however, pressing full speed ahead with Google’s in-car infotainment system, stating back in July that almost every 2016 Volkswagen model in almost every trim level will get Android Auto support.

Android Auto got a user-interface refresh back in August.

Interbrand again names Google world’s 2nd most valuable brand, behind Apple

Ben Lovejoy Oct 5 2015 - 5:18 am PT

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Interbrand has named Google as the world’s second most valuable brand for the third year running, estimating that it increased its total value by 12% to $120B. The company bases its estimates on a mix of the financial performance of the company, its ability to influence purchase decisions and the degree of brand loyalty it enjoys.

Google again took second place to Apple, wich saw its value climb by 43% in the past year to hit $170B.

Tech companies made up half of the top 10, Microsoft at #4, IBM at #5 and Samsung retaining 7th place. A similar brand equity ranking by Millward Brand back in May also gave Apple and Google the top two slots.

Google was first overtaken by Apple in 2013 after previously holding a 4-place lead. Google did, however, retain its place as the best company to work for, Fortune giving it the slot for its fourth consecutive year.

Via The Verge

With 2nd-gen LG Urbane now official, 1st-gen model starts seeing clearance pricing

Ben Lovejoy Oct 1 2015 - 7:22 am PT

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urbane

If you don’t need the standalone connectivity of the second-generation Urbane smartwatch just announced by LG, you can now pick up the original model for $225 – a $55 saving. It’s likely that other outlets will follow suit.

The main difference between the two models is that the 1st-gen requires a Bluetooth connection to an Android device, while the 2nd-gen features cellular connectivity, supporting both 3G and 4G. No pricing or availability has yet been announced.

Updated Google Photos for Android app now available w/ Chromecast support, more

Ben Lovejoy Oct 1 2015 - 5:14 am PT

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photos

Google announced a couple of days ago that a new version of the Google Photos Android app was on the way, Chromecast support, people labelling and album collaboration – features first spotted a week ago. Google has advised that this update is now available …
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Former Google employee was able to buy the google.com domain … for one minute

Ben Lovejoy Oct 1 2015 - 5:11 am PT

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google

There have been other cases of huge companies forgetting to renew their domains, and inadvertantly making them available to others to purchase, but one domain you might have thought would be well-protected from such mistakes is google.com. Not so, it appears: a former Google employee noticed that the domain was available for purchase via Google’s own domain name service – and successfully bought it.

Sanmay Ved, former ad sales lead for the company in Australia and NZ, said that he was just exploring the Google Domains interface and entered google.com to see what domains it would suggest.

To my surprise, Google.com was showing as available! I clicked the add to cart icon beside the domain (which should not appear if the domain is not available for sale). The domain actually got added to my cart as seen by the green check-box, and the domain appeared in my cart.

The transaction successfully completed and he started receiving emails intended for Google’s webmaster.

The company didn’t take long to notice, however: Ved reports that Google cancelled the transaction one minute later, something it was able to do immediately only because the domain had been bought using Google’s own service. If he had bought it elsewhere, getting it back again would have taken rather longer.

Oh, and the cost of owning one of the world’s most valuable domains? $12. Refunded when Google took it back. Would have been totally worth it for the bragging rights (“Oh yeah, I used to own google.com”) even without the refund …

You can read the full story, complete with screengrabs, at Ved’s LinkedIn blog.

Via Business Insider

Google teaching its self-driving cars to behave more like people, be more predictable, less annoying

Ben Lovejoy Sep 29 2015 - 5:04 am PT

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Google’s self-driving cars may have an impressive safety record – having never caused an accident in more than a million miles of driving on public roads – but the company admits that their ultra-cautious approach can make them a little unpredictable and annoying to other drivers, reports the WSJ. Examples include taking a very wide approach on turns, and braking at the slightest sign of danger.

The cars are “a little more cautious than they need to be,” Chris Urmson, who leads Google’s effort to develop driverless cars, [said]. “We are trying to make them drive more humanistically” …

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Google now under Android antitrust investigation in the U.S. as well as Europe

Ben Lovejoy Sep 25 2015 - 5:59 am PT

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android

Google must wonder whether it will ever be free from antitrust investigations. Following antitrust charges against its search business (cleared in the USA, upheld in Europe), the EU filed a second complaint that Google had abused its dominant position in the mobile field to favor its own Android apps. The allegation is that Google forced smartphone companies to favor Google apps over rival ones in return for permission to use Android. Bloomberg reports that the U.S. appears to be opening a similar investigation in the USA.

The Federal Trade Commission reached an agreement with the Justice Department to spearhead an investigation of Google’s Android business, [two sources] said. FTC officials have met with technology company representatives who say Google gives priority to its own services on the Android platform …

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Samsung Pay Korean transactions of $30M exceed expectations, says company, in run-up to U.S. launch

Ben Lovejoy Sep 24 2015 - 4:43 am PT

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Samsung has announced that its mobile wallet service Samsung Pay has been used for more than $30M worth of transactions in its first month in the company’s home market of Korea. The company says that the number “has been beyond our expectations.”

Samsung devices are hugely popular within Korea, and the WSJ notes that the “launch was boosted by a massive advertising campaign,” so this doesn’t necessarily suggest that it will see achieve similar take-up in the U.S. when it launches on Monday – especially given the limited number of Samsung devices that support it …
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‘Free, world-class education’ service Khan Academy now available on Android

Ben Lovejoy Sep 23 2015 - 5:22 am PT

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kahn

One of the best things about the Internet is the access it provides to free educational resources, and the Google-backed Khan Academy is one of the best examples. The non-profit launched an iPad app way back in 2012, and has now finally done the same for Android.

“A free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.” This mission inspires us day in, day out, and we’ve seen over 30M students sign up on Khan Academy to learn almost anything for free. We know you love using Khan Academy more and more on your phones: in fact, over 30% of our sessions are now on mobile devices. We believe strongly that unlocking the potential for anyone, anywhere to learn on 2B+ smartphones worldwide is just getting started. Today Khan Academy is releasing our first Android app along with a redesigned iPhone app!

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Starbucks Android app now lets you place your order before you reach the store

Ben Lovejoy Sep 22 2015 - 5:55 am PT

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If you haven’t got time to stand around in a Starbucks queue to place your order, the good news is that you no longer have to. The company, which first allowed iPhone users to place orders on the mobile app before reaching the store, has now added the same functionality to the Android app …
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‘Netflix for books’ service Oyster shutting down as Google acquihires the key execs

Ben Lovejoy Sep 22 2015 - 3:59 am PT

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oyster

Oyster, the ‘Netflix for books’ service that provided unlimited access to over a million books for a $9.95 monthly subscription, is closing, with Re/code reporting that its CEO and two co-founders have been ‘acquihired’ by Google.

It’s not known at this stage whether Google plans to relaunch the service as a Google-branded product. Oyster said in a blog post that members that they will receive an email with more information in the next few weeks, and Google declined to comment …
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France somehow rejects Google’s appeal, setting dangerous ‘right to be forgotten’ globally

Ben Lovejoy Sep 21 2015 - 7:08 am PT

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cnil

The argument between Google and France over whether the search giant should have to remove sensitive links from just google.fr or from all Google sites worldwide continues, as the French privacy watchdog CNIL has rejected the company’s appeal.

The story so far: Europe introduced ‘right to be forgotten‘ legislation stating that individuals have the right to demand that search engines remove links ‘outdated or irrelevant’ sensitive reports about them. Google reluctantly complied, pointing out the “difficult and debatable judgements” it was being required to make. It compromised by removing links from its European sites like google.fr but not from google.com. France said that this wasn’t good enough, Google appealed – and now the NYT reports that the appeal has been rejected …
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Skype down for many users, Microsoft working on a fix

Ben Lovejoy Sep 21 2015 - 5:13 am PT

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If all your Skype contacts are showing as offline, it’s not that your friends have deserted you – Microsoft says there is “an issue with the status settings” for many users and it is working on a fix.

While the problem persists, you’ll be unable to make Skype calls to contacts shown as offline. If you are not logged in to Skype, you may be unable to sign in. Microsoft says it is doing all it can to resolve the problem.

The Android app got a Material Design refresh and improved messaging earlier this month.