Tech Alert: Google Changes Android Backup Storage Policy—What It Means for You - ITREALMS

Google is introducing a significant shift in how Android device backups impact user accounts, moving away from its previously lenient data exemptions, reports ITREALMS.

In an upcoming policy update set to take effect in 45 days, the tech giant will begin counting all Android device backup data toward overall Google Account storage limits.

Over 300,000 Android devices under attack says NCC-CSIRT - ITREALMS

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A malware that steals Facebook account credentials, known as "Schoolyard Bully", has infected over 300,000 android devices, prompting the Nigerian Communications Commission's Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC-CSIRT) to issue an advisory reminding user to only download applications from official sites and application stores.

Director, Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka in a press statement available to ITREALMS quoted NCC-CSIRT advisory in this regard as further recommending that users double-check each application and uncheck boxes that request extra third-party downloads when installing apps downloaded from the Google Play Store and to use anti-malware applications to routinely scan their devices for malware.

Nokia unveils 4 Android smartphones, reloads Nokia 8110 for 4G

ITREALMS:

The acclaimed home of Nokia phones, HMD Global, has unveiled four new additions to its award-winning portfolio of Android smartphones, reports ITRealms.

The latest entrants include Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 7 Plus, new Nokia 6 and Nokia 1. ITRealms gathered that in efforts at delivering all the craftsmanship expected from a Nokia phone, each new smartphone offers durability and reliability as standard, with the range setting new benchmarks in materials and design.

The chief executive officer of HMD Global, Florian Seiche, noted that in furtherance to earlier promise to pure, smart, secure and up-to-date Android experience, HMD Global unveiled the first global partnership to have a full suite of devices selected into the Android One programme by Google.

“The unwavering commitment to deliver a pure, secure and up-to-date Android experience has ensured Nokia smartphones become the natural fit for the global programme,” Seiche said.

Adding to range of stunning new Android smartphones, the iconic Nokia 8110, Seiche said, has been reloaded to deliver 4G connectivity, apps including Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Search, Facebook and Twitter, and the return of the slider phone.

The Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 7 Plus and the new Nokia 6 – join the Android One family, offering a high quality software experience designed by Google. Each phone will stay fresh over time with the latest AI powered innovations to the highest grade of security from Google. With a pure Android installation, Nokia smartphones come with no unnecessary UI changes or hidden processes that would eat up battery life or slow them down so you can enjoy your new phone for longer. Each of the new phones comes with a limited number of pre-installed apps so that you’ll get more storage space, as well as the latest innovations that help you stay ahead of the game every day.

By shipping with Android Oreo out of the box, users will be able to enjoy the latest features, including Picture-in-Picture for multitasking, Android Instant Apps to discover and run apps with minimal friction, 60 fantastic new emojis and battery-maximising features like limiting background app use.

According to Florian Seiche, CEO HMD Global, “This time last year, we started our journey with huge expectations from fans and a massive responsibility to deliver on the legacy of one of the most innovative brands in our space. Since then we have reintroduced well-loved icons, forged partnerships with friends - old and new, and delivered our pure, secure and up-to-date Android experience across our smartphone portfolio. Last year we shipped over 70 million Nokia phones.”

Noting further that HMD Global remains committed to delivering great phones that will offer value to the customers, Mr. Seiche said “As we’ve expanded our portfolio we’ve always maintained one vision: to deliver great Nokia phones that live up to the values our fans expect. It has been an exhilarating time and as we look ahead, we plan to build on our success by expanding our portfolio and giving consumers a wide range of Nokia phones they can love, trust and rely on.”

HMD Global prides itself in making smartphones that address real-world needs, with commitment to pure, secure and up-to-date Android as a core strategy.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Pix: Nokia 8 Sirroco

MTN, TD Mobile unveil Freetel ICE 2 Android in Lagos

ITRealms:

Leading telecommunications operator in the country, MTN Communications Nigeria is partnering with the Sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest mobile device distributor, TD Mobile to unveil Freetel ICE 2 Andriod smartphone in the city of Lagos, reports ITRealms.

This phone described as revolutionary smartphone, ITRealms gathered is backed by Google.

The event graced by industry dignitaries included former Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Chairman, Board of Directors, Technology Distributions Limited led by Prof. Anya O. Anya; representatives of Corporate Nigeria and bank CEOs; representatives of partner organizations MTN, Google, TD Mobile, sub-dealers and other stakeholders from the ICT eco-system, saw Chairman, Zinox Group, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh declaring at the event that “When you are looking for partnerships, go all out and partner with the best.”

According to him, Freetel ICE 2 smartphone is designed for the Nigerian market, and is one of the many devices from the stable of Freetel, Japan’s largest selling smart phone brand in open market.

Designed in the state-of-the-art design center in Tokyo, Japan with manufacturing oversight by Japanese engineers with over 40 years of experience, ITRealms gathered that the device is Google GMS certified, which confirms that it meets Google’s performance requirements and properly runs the Google Apps.

ITRealms reports that book lovers would be thrilled by the ICE 2 which comes pre-loaded with Worldreader’s free e-library of 50,000 e-books, which enables Nigerians to read their favourite books at no cost.

The smartphone, ITRealms gathered would sell for about N13,000 ($35), which the promoters said is an attractive price-point that is expected to deepen the pace of smartphone penetration in the country.

In addition, ITRealms reports that ICE 2 is powered by Google’s most recent Android operating system – Android 7.0, which is fully equipped with the latest software and security updates including Google Play Protect: a newly-developed software which continuously works to keep one’s device, data and apps safe. Just as the smartphone is pre-loaded with MTN’s latest apps including MTN Music Plus.

Massive incentives await the first 200 subscribers to get the Freetel ICE 2. In addition, all customers who buy the device will also enjoy double data bonus on every data bundle they buy for three months, courtesy of MTN.

For MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, Rahul De, “We are excited by this partnership because our focus over the years has been on connecting millions of Nigerians to each other and the world, thus expanding access to information, entertainment and endless opportunities. The affordable and innovative ICE 2 takes us further along this journey, allowing more Nigerians make the transition to smartphones.”

The Managing Director, TD Mobile, Mrs. Gozy Ijogun disclosed that the launch of the Freetel ICE 2 is a fitting testimony to the company’s landmark strides in making ICT products and devices accessible, affordable and usable across Africa.

“Since inception, TD Mobile has been the leading driver of smart devices penetration in the West African sub-region. The launch of the Freetel ICE 2 resonates with our mission of spear-heading a technology revolution in Africa and further shows why we have remained in the forefront of bringing the best and latest technology products to the sub-region. Through the strategic partnerships with our massive network of operators, dealers and retailers, we are sure to see the ICE 2 Android smartphone in the hands of millions of Nigerians in no time,” she enthused.

On its part, Google’s Head of Nigeria for Android Partnerships, Adama Diallo emphasized: “We have been truly impressed by the quality of the Freetel ICE 2 at this price point. We are excited to continue working with ecosystem partners like Freetel, TD & MTN to offer Android devices at every price point and connect more Nigerians to the internet.”

A subsidiary of ICT distribution power-house Technology Distributions Ltd. (TD Africa), TD Mobile will add the ICE 2 smartphone to a growing list of devices from international brands represented in line with its status as the biggest mobile devices distributor in the West African sub-region. Considering TD Mobile’s wide reach and unmatched presence in major Nigerian cities and other West African capitals; the company will deploy its huge distribution capacity in taking the device to every action station in the metropolis as well as every nook and cranny in the hinterlands.

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The ICE 2 goes on sale nationwide this September and is available at all major online and offline retail stores including MTN’s retail outlets.

Nonye Dom/GEE

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WorldRemit launches Android Pay, targets $600bn industry

ITRealms:

Leading digital money transfer service has added Android Pay to its service, offering a new way for WorldRemit’s Android Pay users to send money internationally and reach millions using mobile money accounts, reports ITRealms.

Pioneering a mobile-first approach to the $600bn a year remittance industry, ITRealms gathered that this move sees WorldRemit bringing together the leading players in mobile payments from Silicon Valley and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Launching the global rollout of the service at MoneyConf 2017, WorldRemit via its Vice President, Products, Alice Newton-Rex, told ITRealms it would enable Android Pay users to safely and securely send money to +112 million mobile money accounts accessible via its network. The integration will make WorldRemit the only remittance provider offering international payments through Android Pay around the globe.

By connecting directly with Android Pay, WorldRemit customers can transfer money instantly across continents in just 5 taps - without entering credit card or 3DS details. Using mobile money, a recipient customer can then pay for school fees, utility bills and groceries among other things directly from their mobile phones - without the need for 3G or wifi. As Android Pay is supported by industry standard tokenization, payments are sent with a virtual account number providing an extra layer of security.

WorldRemit currently sends money to more mobile money accounts than any other operator in the world. The company enables migrants to send money from their smartphones to the mobile phones of the people they love, in over 140 countries to be paid out in cash, paid into a bank account or into a mobile money account.

“Currently 60% of WorldRemit app users are on Android, which is also by far the most popular mobile operating system in the developing world, where 2 billion people are still unbanked, but critically half a billion use their mobiles as a bank account,” she said.

The VP stressed that this integration with Android Pay is the next logical step of mobile first approach, and continues the commitment to provide greater financial inclusion.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Breaking News: eCommerce Tech Alliance launches VoixBox App on Android

BreakingNews@ITRealms:

The management of San Ramon-based eCommerce Technology Alliance in California, United States, has launched its first Mobile Application on the Android platform known as VoixBox on Sunday, reports ITRealms. 

The app, ITRealms gathered could now be downloaded as a voice mail app from the Google Store.

Also, ITRealms reports that in potential users could search on Google Play for the name Voixbox.

“Once you download and register, your caller will automatically be provided with the option to leave a message for you using our Cloud voice mail box if you can't answer your call,” company sources confided in ITRealms.

Even as customers could get more information about the Voicemail Application at App website.

 

According to our source, “Our VoixBox application is a unique mobile app that enables anyone to have a cloud based voicemail box regardless of carriers, on any phone, anywhere in the world.”

Further, ITRealms reports that Voixbox provides functionalities to record, store and forward unlimited voice recordings from any phone for unlimited time for a fee.

ITRealms equally gathered that the iOS version will be launched next week and will be available on Apple Store.

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Android users now enjoy a new version of Opera Mini browser

  

ITRealms

  

Android users globally now enjoy a new version of the Opera Mini Mobile browser which comes with redesigned interface, ITRealms can authoritatively report.

The upgraded version of Opera Mini for Android coincides with the announcement of Opera’s high growth targets for the Android platform on Tuesday, April 14, 2015,ITRealms gathered.

The chief executive officer (CEO) of Opera Software, Lars Boilesen confirmed this to  ITRealms.

 “We aim to reach 275 million users on the Android platform by 2017, more than doubling today's user base of 130 million. This growth will further cement Opera's position as a dominant browser in fast-growing, emerging economies,” Boilesen said.

Android had over 81 per cent market share among smartphones operating systems in 2014, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC), the global market intelligence firm.

The new user interface, ITRealms learnt comes in the latest Opera Mini with some features including a simplified menu, overhauled speed dial, a private-browsing mode and options to customize the browser layout for more thumb-friendly surfing.

Also, the new Opera mini has a scalable interface with higher resolution for tablets and large phones, updates to discover news feed which provides more latest content across the web as well as a data counter to show daily progress on data savings, helping users keep data costs under control.

ITRealms also discovered that like previous Opera Mini versions, the Opera Mini 8 compresses webpages to as little as 10 per cent of their original size. This decrease in data traffic means users could get to their content faster, and could extend their data plans.

Cyriacus Nnaji /GEE

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