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Lookout Theft Alerts looks out for suspicious behavior

Mobile security firm Lookout is offering a new feature that brings it up to par with many security apps and services now on Android. Using a combination of mobile technologies and snooping, Theft Alerts can help you locate your stolen device or, in the worst case scenario, remotely secure and wipe out your data.



Theft Alerts is practically composed of two parts, triggers and the email report resulting from them. Triggers are actions that smartphone thieves usually take upon acquiring a stolen device according to Lookout's research. These include actions like turning off the device, removing the SIM card, entering the passcode incorrectly a number of times, and even removing Lookout itself from the list of device administrators. Any of these events can be set as a trigger for the Theft Alert system, though users will have to pick out which ones are valid and which ones they usually tend to do themselves a lot.


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When a trigger has been tripped, Lookout will send out an email to the registered owner that includes relevant information to locate the stolen device. This includes a photo of the perpetrator silently taken using the front-facing camera and a map of the current location of the device, or at least the last known one before the trigger action happened. The email will also include options to lock the device remotely, send a threatening message to be displayed on the device's screen, or, as a last resort, wipe the device completely to protect sensitive information.




Lookout Theft Alerts come with a price, however. It is only available for premium subscribers to the service, which incurs a monthly payment of $2.99 or $29.99 per annum. However, Lookout does have a special treat for older users of its free service, letting them try out Theft Alerts for free until September 31 this year. This, however, only applies to those who already have an account before this announcement was made, so new users won't be getting the same deal.


SOURCE: Lookout

VIA: SlashGear





Android Device Manager app update brings a guest mode

Google has rolled out the latest update for the Android Device Manager app. This update brings the app to v1.2.12 and while there has yet to be any changelog posted -- the update is in the process of rolling out through the Play Store.



There doesn't appear to be much in the way of differences, however the folks at Android Police have spotted one key change. Google has added a Guest Mode option. Simply put, you can now choose the Guest option from the account name drop down menu on the main launch screen.


Once you select the guest option you'll be able to enter your personal Google credentials (email and password). This isn't what we would consider a huge update, but this does appear to be a welcomed change given you can now login easily (on a friends device) and not have to worry about whether or not that device will store your account details.


When using the Android Device Manager app in Guest Mode you'll be listed as "Guest" in the upper left hand corner. You should also take some comfort in the easy access to log out once you are done. Just look for the Sign Out option in the upper right corner. Otherwise, Guest Mode will still allow you to remotely track your device, as well as ring the device, lock the device and wipe the device.





T-Mobile Uncarrier 5.0 event set for June 18

T-Mobile has announced the latest in the Uncarrier series of events. This next one will be highlighting Uncarrier 5.0 and it will take place in Los Angeles, California on June 18th. There hasn't been much in the way of hints, however T-Mobile did make it clear they "don't play it safe and sound."



Of course, not playing it safe and sound could have been fitting for most (if not all) of the previous Uncarrier events. Time will tell what the carrier has planned this time around. Looking back to January, the Uncarrier 4.0 tackled early termination fees (ETF).


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This was when T-Mobile first announced they would pay any ETF that you may get charged as a result of switching. The process seemed simple enough, though we would suggest reading all the fine print before making any sudden moves. Having said that, T-Mobile mentioned they would give users up to $650 to switch.


That $650 would come as a mix of up to $350 for any ETF and up to $300 for a device trade-in. Otherwise, some of the earlier Uncarrier moves included free data for your tablets, free international roaming and the ending of overage charges. So, any guesses as to what T-Mobile has planned for Uncarrier 5.0?





AllCast Receiver is now also a Chrome browser extension

Koushik "Koush" Dutta has just made an announcement that brings his AllCast streaming system beyond its usual target devices. Now any computer can become a recipient of streaming media thanks to the new AllCast Receiver Chrome web browser extension.



AllCast streaming already works with a variety of target devices, usually multimedia boxes or dongles like the Google Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku box, and, most recently, the Amazon Fire TV. Last week, however, Koush released the AllCast Receiver app on Google Play Store, practically turning any compatible Android device into a receiver.


Now, any computer can be one too. The AllCast Receiver Chrome extension works on PCs running Windows or Linux as well as on Macs. All supported streaming formats have been noted as working, including even mirroring, though Koush comments that its not ideal considering it uses the WebRTC route also used by Chromecast. The short video below demonstrates the extension action.




This Chrome browser extension works only with a new version of the AllCast sender that Koush has also released today. He also teases that a Chrome extension for an AllCast sender will be coming soon, which will turn the tables and turn any computer into a broadcaster for any supported AllCast Receiver.


Download: AllCast Receiver on Chrome Web Store

SOURCE: +Koush





Pocket Premium service offers a permanent archive of your articles

It was inevitable and now Pocket, formerly known as Read It Later, has joined the army of free services with paid premium offerings. But while two of three features focus particularly on convenience, one in particular is probably worth the subscription fee.



Pocket is one of the Android Community team's must-have apps, but, if left unchecked, it can grow into an unwieldy, unread. forgotten, and most likely unorganized mass of links, articles and whatnot. To help make sense of it all, Pocket is now offering a premium subscription that adds features that can help you better organize, or at least dig through, your collected articles. Pocket will suggest tags, which you can apply with a single click or tap, to relieve you of having to determine and think of the most appropriate tag for a piece. Of course, it will only be able to suggest the right ones after learning from your own habits, so the more you use, the smarter it will become. Premium users will also be able to enjoy a more powerful search, which can sift through not just titles or links but also through content, tags, author, keywords, and more.


But perhaps the most interesting premium feature for the online archivist is the Permanent Library. Pocket will save a copy of the an article for posterity's sake and that copy will be kept in that original condition forever. Or as long as Pocket remains in business. This means that even if the original article changes, or disappears from the face of the Internet, your copy in your Pocket will remain safe. It's like your own personal Wayback Machine.


Truth be told, these premium features will only make sense for those that use Pocket less as a transient repository of links and more as a dumping ground and filing cabinet of anything and everything. Like an Evernote of sorts, but for articles on the web. For this type of user, a $4.99 monthly subscription might indeed be worth the price. But if you can really dig into your pocket, pun intended, you can opt for a $44.99 yearly fee instead.


SOURCE: Pocket

VIA: SlashGear





Verizon HTC One (M7) Sense 6 update now rolling out

As promised, Verizon is now making available the latest HTC Sense UI version for owners of last year's HTC One under its care. With Sense 6.0, the HTC One M7 gets a number of update apps and improvements to the user interface to match that of the HTC One M8.



Primary among the changes is the new Blinkfeed, which now lets user add and remove content. Viewing those content has also changed a bit now that it uses continuous vertical scrolling. Blinkfeed has also added support for social networking sites, even including Foursquare restaurant recommendations. The overall user interface has also been freshened up a bit with the use of large swathes of solid colors that has become a KitKat thing. Customizing the homescreen has also been made easier, allowing users to do almost everything right then and there without having to dig through the Settings app.


In terms of non-visual changes, the update also brings in improvements to WiFi connectivity, fixes for several outstanding bugs, update of pre-installed apps like SSO and Audible, as well as the addition of a new baked-in app in the form of Emergency Alerts.


Verizon estimates that downloading the update will take at most 30 minutes, while installing it incurs and additional 10 to 20 minute tops. During the installation of the update, the HTC One will be practically unusable. Should there be an error in installing the update, users are advised to remove and re-insert the battery and power the device back on, at which point they will be prompted to install the update again.


SOURCE: Verizon





Sony Xperia Z2 gets a wireless charging cover and plate

To keep your Xperia Z2 smartphone looking stylish even while charging, Sony is making available two new wireless charging accessories designed for it. The Wireless Charging Cover WCR12 and Charging Plate WCH10 will let you refuel the smartphone's battery without being entangled by wires. And they look nice, too!



The WCR12 is a stylish flip style cover designed specifically for the Sony Xperia Z2. While it's selling point is its wireless charging capabilities, the cover also functions as a protective accessory to keep objects away from your screen while the device stays in your bag or in your pocket. In addition, the cover allows the Xperia Z2 to be propped up in a landscape orientation for the best viewing experience.


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With the WCH10 charging plate, Sony has moved away from the usual drab, rectangular or square form of most wireless charging plates. Instead, it employs a circular disk design that makes the plate look both stylish and interesting on any table. The plate gives out a charge of 5 watts to charge the Xperia Z2 or other compatible devices.


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Though these accessories are sold separately, you will probably need both in order to have a wireless charging system. However, both the cover and the charging plate adhere to the Qi wireless charging standard and are therefore compatible with other similar accessories in the market. The Wireless Charging Cover WCR12 will come in black and white color options while the Wireless Charging Plate WCH10 only comes in black. Sony has not yet disclosed when and where these accessories will come to market or for what price.


SOURCE: Sony


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