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OmniROM integrates Android 4.4.3 into nightly builds

At the height of the Android 4.4.3 release frenzy, OmniROM made an important announcement. It has kicked off nightly builds of supported devices that includes the latest Android version, thereby showing that the project is still pretty much alive and kicking.



By itself, Android 4.4.3 isn't exactly an earth-shattering update. Sure, it does bring a couple of new features, like a redesigned dialer app, but most of its contents are bug fixes and performance tweaks. Naturally, the moment images and source code hit public sources, custom ROMs started taking the road towards rebasing their code and builds on this version. Fortunately, OmniROM is one of those and, even better, they are telling the world about it.


Aside from the brief preview of a new feature last week, OmniROM has been rather silent on the public front, especially on its website and blog. Make no mistake, code has been moving behind the scenes, but unless you're privy to that part of development, you'd think that the project was stagnating, which is definitely not the case. This public announcement, not to mention the new nightly builds, could very well serve to reignite some interest in the fledgling Android ROM as it treks the road towards its first stable release.


And OmniROM might be one ROM worth waiting for or looking into. Aside from their commitment to the spirit and letter of open source software, they also have pretty ambitious and interesting features planned, which will hopefully all see the light of day, in one form or another. This list includes the recent hot phrases preview, a different kind of multi window implementation, and a new app switching feature. Hit the links below to read more about these features and make sure to keep tabs on our OmniROM tag portal if this project has piqued your interest.


SOURCE: OmniROM





Simplelocker.A holds your SD card hostage using encryption

A new malware, specifically a ransomware, is in town and this time it does have a bit of teeth. This Simplelocker.A doesn't exactly lock you out of your smartphone but it encrypts files on your SD card so that you are practically locked out of your data instead.



This malware was spotted and reported by ESET, makers of a suite of security and anti-virus apps for PCs and mobile platforms. Android isn't exactly immune from attacks and its popularity only makes it an even bigger target. This is definitely not the first, nor sadly the last, ransomware, that specifically targets our favorite mobile platform. Just last month, the Koler.A malware was reported. This one practically displayed a large window that blocked access to your phone until the you paid a certain sum, or at least until you find other means to remove the app that brought it along. Despite that, the malware didn't do much to your device, but this latest one could.


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Simplelocker.A rode on an app called "Sex xionix", whose name alone should already clue you in. Naturally, the app isn't on Google Play Store and whoever opts to still install the app via other means probably has it coming. What the malware then does is encrypt most types of files found on the device's SD card, including MP4's, documents, text files, images, and more. It then displays a windows that informs the users that his or her device has been locked due to viewing illegal pornographic material and instructs them to pay around $21 to regain access. Of course, the payment is to be made via untraceable channels. Based on ESET's analysis of the malware's code, the malware itself doesn't contain the decryption key and most likely receives the command from an anonymous server once the payment has been made. In short, there is no assurance that the malware source will actually keep their part of the bargain.


This situation might make for a good case to favor Google's recent moves to block unmitigated write access to files and folder stored in external memory. Of course, Google might also be throwing the baby out with the water, making that strategy still open for debate. That said, considering the way the malware can be installed, the user shares part of the blame for any damage that might ensue. Luckily, ESET believes that Simplelocker.A, as it is now, isn't yet strong enough and looks more like a proof-of-concept but advises users to install legitimate security programs nonetheless. And maybe exercise a bit of common sense as well.


SOURCE: ESET





Cyanogen CM Theme Showcase app coming to the Play Store

The CM Apps app was recently released in the Google Play Store. And it looks like another Cyanogen branded app will soon be available. This other is the CM Theme Showcase app and it is set to arrive for download on June 16th.



Details of the app release come by way of Brian Resnik, who is a community specialist for Cyanogen Inc. More to the point, Resnik recently confirmed the release on Reddit. This should be good news for the average end-user looking to get some themes, however the advance details of the release came with a request for theme submissions.


Simply put, by making the release known ahead of time -- those average end-users should be able to expect a decent selection when the app arrives on the 16th. For those curious, thinking the CM Theme Showcase name sounds familiar -- it originally debuted with the OnePlus One.


Anyway, Resnik offered some details on what is required for submissions. Those thinking about submitting a theme will want to click on the Reddit source link below to make sure they know what is expected. Otherwise, looking back to the CM Apps app and that was one offering users everything from wallpapers, to the Trebuchet launcher, and Cyanogen branded apps such as as Apollo, Camera Next, Torch and others.


VIA: AndroidAuthority


SOURCE: Reddit





Moto X+1 1080p display hinted by Motorola screenshot

There are many things still unknown about the Moto X successor, but now Motorola itself might have accidentally leaked out one crucial spec Thanks to this screenshot from Motorola exec Punit Soni, the Internet is ablaze with the speculation that the Moto X+1 will have a 1080p screen.



The context of the screenshot couldn't be farther from discussion about the Moto X+1. It was simply a response to a blog post claiming that Motorola still isn't fixing a certain bug on the Moto G. Motorola's VP for Product Management countered with a screenshot proving that in the coming Android 4.4.3 update, there is now an option to turn off the network name in the status bar.


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While that news might be relevant for some users, what is notable is the screenshot itself, or rather its size. The image has a resolution of 1920x1080. In other words, full HD. This is significant because, as of the moment, there is no Motorola smartphone that has that kind of display. Unless Suni resized the screenshot or was using a non-Motorola device, both of which are quite unlikely, we could be looking at the first solid hint about the Moto X+1's display.


That said, there are still too many missing pieces to the puzzle, like how big that 1080p screen will be. We still have to see how Lenovo's ownership of the Motorola name will affect in any way the design of Motorola's next flagship. And perhaps more importantly, we still have to know when. The birthday of the Moto X is just around the corner, and hopefully everything will fall into place before then.


VIA: Phandroid





T-Mobile unveils the ‘Underground’ with promise of limited-stock devices

T-Mobile recently unveiled something called the Underground. Essentially, this will be a new storefront available from the carrier. But more than a place to simply grab any old handset -- the Underground brings the promise of grabbing something different, something not quite as easy to get.



The carrier has invited users to "go behind the magenta rope with Underground" and is promising to deliver limited-stock devices and accessories. T-Mobile has said the Underground is the place for those who do not want what everyone else has -- a place for the "true enthusiasts."


While this all sounds fairly exciting and like a place where you can grab something truly unique -- the initial launch doesn't appear to be offering that just yet. The T-Mobile Underground page appears to be a simple portal to the regular T-Mobile website. Those visiting the Underground will see the "limited availability" Gold Galaxy S5. A click of the 'shop now' button takes you back to the regular website for a purchase.


Otherwise, the only other items currently seen on the Underground page are some accessories that are connected to the Galaxy S5. The accessory options include the Gear 2 (in Gold) Gear Fit and Jawbone UP24. Those also all take you back to the regular T-Mobile website if you are looking to make a purchase.


T-Mobile has yet to say if, or when other devices will appear on the Underground storefront, however it does seem interesting enough to keep an eye on. Maybe we'll learn a bit more come June 18, when T-Mobile is having the next Uncarrier event.


SOURCE: +T-Mobile, T-Mobile





Hitman: Sniper for mobile returns franchise to its roots

Hitman fans rejoice! If the recently launched Hitman GO mobile version (or perversion if you will) has left you cringing, then list latest announcement from Square Enix might be the cure for that. Hitman Sniper goes back to the original nature of the game and has you carrying out contracts from the perspective of Agent 47 himself.



Hitman GO was a rather risky and bold move to take the hit title and try to make it fit in a mobile gaming context. But rather than a direct sequel of the game, Square Enix decided to give it a big twist. The game is transformed into a turn-based strategy affair, with visuals that have more in common with dioramas and board games than with the original games. Fresh and surprising, Hitman GO most likely polarized the Hitman fan community.


Hitman: Sniper is less likely to be as divisive, as it clearly employs familiar mechanics and visuals. This time, you will feel, look, and act like a sniper, but as with the previous Hitman games, you will have many options available in how you carry out contracts. This, according to Square Enix, gives the game replayability, allowing you to practice on the same set of skills or look for other possible means to fulfill your mission. From the teaser below, it is apparent that the game will employ a first-person perspective, at least when sniping. Square Enix promises that the game will be built for touch and it will be interesting to see just how it will implement that.




Hitman: Sniper isn't scheduled to come out until later this year. It will first make its public debut at E3 at LA next week. The game will be offered for free but Square Enix isn't shy to admit that there will be in-game purchases, though it claims those will be for purely optional upgrades and perks and not for anything substantial in the game.


SOURCE: Square Enix





Huawei Honor 4 leak: octa-core 5-inch 1080p handset

Huawei may have just unveiled the Ascend P7 late last month, but its flagship device has yet to see the light of day. Based on a fresh set of leaks and rumors, the Honor (or Glory) 4 will sport some impressive specs, including Huwei's own octa-core chip.



The Honor, known in other parts of the world as the Glory, has been Huawei's prime contender in the Android market, together with the Ascend series. The fourth iteration of this line has slowly been creeping up in benchmark sites, and it seems that Huawei is aiming for the sky when it comes to this smartphone. The screen has a resolution of 1920x1080 but remains at a somewhat handy 5.0-inch size. It's no 2K display, definitely, but that high-resolution spec is still a new frontier and not yet the standard of high-end devices this half of the year.Quite interestingly, the device will be running on an octa-core CPU. Last year's round of rumors has us believing that it will be a MediaTek chip, but this new leak identifies it as a Kirin, a chip produced by Huawei subsidiary Hisense. This one runs at 1.3 GHz for each core. There is also 3 GB of RAM, which is definitely a generous configuration, and 16 GB of internal storage. Quite notably, benchmarks put this particular device on top of the Galaxy Note 3, though there is no comparison made with the Galaxy S5.


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In terms of external designs, there seems to be two conflicting camps. One leak shows the Honor 4, complete with the Honor branding at the back, sporting a rather nondescript form that looks somewhat similar to the OnePlus One, at least from the front. This, however is based on a rendered 3D image. The other leak shows an actual device, or a dummy unit. While we cannot exactly see its face, the back seems to have a rather odd bump at the bottom, which the earlier rendered image does not indicate. The source does not say what that bump is for, but unless it can be justified, it might make holding the device a bit awkward, if not uncomfortable.


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One last and rather uncertain bit of information claims that Huawei will skip the Honor/Glory 4 number entirely and jump to number 6 for some reason. Right now, the device goes by the codename of "Mulan" and there isn't any word or rumor yet on when Huawei plans to show it to the world.


VIA: MyDrivers, Weibo





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