Latest news with #AndroidUsers
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
WhatsApp Issues Urgent iPhone Countdown: Chats Stop In 24 Hours On These Phones
WhatsApp is ending support for a series of Apple and Android devices, beginning on Sunday, June 1. It had been thought the change would come early in June, but the respite is over. Here's the list of iPhones affected and what it means. Apple iPhones with older software are about to lose access to WhatsApp. If you have an iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, then first of all congratulations for holding out against the pressure to upgrade. But, secondly, commiserations, because your phone won't work with WhatsApp any more. That's because you need to have an iPhone that runs iOS 15.1 and later, and those phones can't handle software newer than iOS 14. If you want to continue to use WhatsApp, you'll need a newer iPhone (or iPad, now it's finally arrived on Apple's tablets). Android users are fine, providing your phone can run Android OS 5.0 and newer. The new software requirements have been announced by WhatsApp and the explanation is that 'Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates. Every year we look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest users. These devices also might not have the latest security updates, or might lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp,' it says. To be fair to WhatsApp, support is only vanishing for iPhones that first went on sale more than 10 years ago, and which weren't sold by Apple for the last six years. And note the phrase 'Every year,' which tells us that if you have any iPhone newer than that, you're safe until next year at least. As noted by 9to5Mac, it had been reported that other iPhones would also be struck off, namely iPhone 16s, iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone SE 1st generation. However, this doesn't seem to be the case, providing, of course, you have updated the phone's software to later than iOS 15.1. This shouldn't be a problem as those phones are compatible with every version of iOS 15, including the recent iOS 15.8.1, a security update released a few weeks ago on March 31, 2025.
Android Authority
5 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
No login needed: Microsoft file sharing on Android picks up one of Google Drive's handiest features
Adam Birney / Android Authority TL;DR Microsoft is rolling out anonymous file sharing to Android. Android users can now view Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents without having to sign in to their Microsoft account. You'll still have to sign in to your account if you want to make edits or leave comments. Earlier this year, Microsoft rolled out anonymous file sharing for the iPhone and iPad, leaving Android users out in the cold. It's been almost three months since then, but the wait is finally over. Microsoft is now bringing this feature over to Android. In a blog post, the company announced that Android owners can now take advantage of anonymous file sharing. This means if someone shares a Word, PowerPoint, or Excel file with you and sends a link to your Android device, you'll now be able to view that document without having to sign in to the app first. For this feature to work, the person sending the link needs to be signed into their Microsoft account. Then they'll need to make a shareable link by opening the file, navigating to the share button in the top right corner, and entering the email address of the recipient. From there, they just have to hit send or copy the link and paste it into a message. If you're on the receiving end, you'll be able to tap on the link and open the file. You'll now see the file, along with a prompt asking if you want to sign in to your personal account or dismiss. This feature is available in the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps for Android in version 16.0.18827.20066 or later. Microsoft notes that you'll only be able to view documents, presentations, and worksheets. If you want to edit the file or leave a comment, you'll still have to log in. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Phone Arena
26-05-2025
- Business
- Phone Arena
Surprise Memorial Day deal slashes supreme $175 off Samsung's Galaxy S25 price
While our grand list of the best Memorial Day 2025 deals from across the interwebs has been live (and filled to the brim with awesome bargains and steals) since last week, quite possibly the greatest smartphone offer this year has only been added to earlier today and is unlikely to last long. This allows Android power users on a tight budget to purchase the "vanilla" Galaxy S25 at a huge $175 discount in both 128 and 256GB storage variants, which seems to be a completely unprecedented promotion, as well as an unmissable money-saving opportunity for all hardcore Samsung fans. 5G, Unlocked, 128GB Storage, 12GB RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Processor, 6.2-Inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X Display with 2340 x 1080 Pixel Resolution and 120Hz Refresh Rate Technology, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 Protection, 50 + 10 + 12MP Triple Rear-Facing Camera System, 12MP Front-Facing Camera, 4,000mAh Battery with 25W Wired and 15W Wireless Charging Support, Galaxy AI, Mint Color Buy at Amazon 5G, Unlocked, 256GB Storage, 12GB RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Processor, 6.2-Inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X Display with 2340 x 1080 Pixel Resolution and 120Hz Refresh Rate Technology, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 Protection, 50 + 10 + 12MP Triple Rear-Facing Camera System, 12MP Front-Facing Camera, 4,000mAh Battery with 25W Wired and 15W Wireless Charging Support, Galaxy AI, Silver Shadow and Mint Color Options Buy at Amazon The most affordable S25 configuration normally costs $799.99, and if you hurry, you can slash a towering 22 percent off that list price in a single "Mint" colorway. The slightly more expensive 256 gig model, meanwhile, is available at 20 percent under its $859.99 regular price in both Mint and Silver Shadow hues, but you probably don't want to waste much time if you prefer one such unit either. Previously, Amazon has only offered discounts of up to $125 on select non-Plus and non-Ultra Galaxy S25 models, mind you, so clearly, this is a deal to remember, take advantage of, and expect to see rehashed (but most likely not improved) during the e-commerce giant's Prime Day 2025 sales event later this summer. Considerably more compact than its costlier brothers, the 6.2-inch S25 proves that strong essences can still be kept in small bottles in this day and age, packing the same state-of-the-art Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (for Galaxy) processor as the S25 Plus and S25 Ultra. That 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X screen is just one of several features highlighted as key strengths rather than notable weaknesses in our in-depth Samsung Galaxy S25 review from a few months back, with the 12GB RAM count, 50 + 10 + 12MP triple rear-facing camera system, razor-thin 7.2mm profile, and super-premium metal-and-glass construction also shining bright against other top contenders for the title of best Android phone out there available at comparable prices right now.
Phone Arena
24-05-2025
- Phone Arena
Pixel phones are finally fixing this utility feature iPhones have had for years
Pixel users will soon have a more convenient way to control flashlight is working on a native brightness slider that will be built right into the flashlight Quick Settings tile. The feature is expected to arrive with Android 16 QPR1, which is currently in beta testing. Android has technically supported flashlight brightness control since Android 13, thanks to a system-level API. But until now, Google limited its use to specific apps like Camera and Magnifier. That meant Pixel users couldn't adjust the flashlight intensity from the system UI and had to rely on third-party apps to access the full range of brightness settings. However, that's starting to change. A new feature spotted in Android 16 QPR1 testing shows a redesigned flashlight tile with an integrated slider. If you're using the wide version of the tile, tapping on the right side opens the brightness menu. If you're using the smaller version, a long press does the same. In both cases, the flashlight turns on right away, and you can immediately adjust the brightness level. The current intensity is shown as a percentage on-screen. Adjusting the strength of your flashlight will soon be available on Pixel phones. | Image credit — Google News (Telegram) Once this is live, it will bring Pixel phones closer to what iPhones have offered for some time. On iOS, flashlight brightness can be adjusted through the Control Center, and it's a feature many Android users have wanted to be built into the system for years. With this update, Google is finally bringing that same level of control to Pixel users without the need for extra apps. We've already taken a look at Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 in more detail, where Google is introducing several UI changes under the Material 3 Expressive design language. There are also tweaks to the lock screen, quick settings, and launcher. Although the flashlight slider is not yet available in this first beta, and it might seem like a small thing, I'm sure it will add to the feeling that Google is polishing the Pixel experience based on user feedback. For now, the feature is still hidden in the code, and there's no word yet on whether it will expand to other Android devices. But for Pixel owners, it's a useful addition that improves one of the phone's most basic tools. If your Pixel phone is enrolled in the Android beta program, you might start seeing it soon.
Forbes
10-05-2025
- Forbes
Unsophisticated Hackers A Critical Threat, US Government Warns
CISA and FBI warn of threat from unsophisticated hackers. There is undoubtedly no shortage of sophisticated and complex cyberattacks currently. Everything from no-interaction threats targeting Android smartphone users, 2FA bypass attacks that the National Cyber Security Centre in the U.K. is so concerned about that it has issued a global alert, and even the use of high-tech blobs and data-theft tunnels in password-stealing campaigns. Why, then, have two major U.S. security agencies released a strongly worded warning urging organizations to react to a threat from what they refer to as unsophisticated hackers? Actually, let's start with a slightly different question, namely, what is a hacker? The quick and dirty answer is me, I'm a hacker. I have been since the late 1980s, in fact, and proudly remain one to this very day. That doesn't make me a threat or a criminal, because hacking isn't a crime. Criminal hacking is a crime, as if that really needs saying out loud. A hacker is just someone using their skills to find ways to do something that wasn't the intention of the programmer, hardware engineer, whatever. I have found any number of ways into software and systems over the years that really shouldn't have existed. Those doorways have then been closed as a result. I guess you could say I am a sophisticated hacker, as I am totally self-taught, rather than relying upon downloadable scripts that someone else has created. The description as it applies in the CISA and FBI alert, however, is a little more generous than that, I suspect. What is being talked about here are not unsophisticated hackers, but hackers using 'basic and elementary intrusion techniques' in their attacks. That, to me doesn't equate to an unsophisticated hacker, it makes for a smart one. Why reinvent the wheel, especially when there's a pile of them sitting just behind that open garage door? The joint CISA and FBI advisory, titled Unsophisticated Cyber Actor(s) Targeting Operational Technology and published May 6, is all of a single, solitary, paragraph in length. 'CISA is increasingly aware of unsophisticated cyber actor(s) targeting ICS/SCADA systems within U.S. critical Infrastructure sectors (Oil and Natural Gas), specifically in Energy and Transportation Systems,' it begins. Going on to explain that while these attacks often simply exploit the presence of poor cyber hygiene and exposed assets, this can lead to 'significant consequences such as defacement, configuration changes, operational disruptions and, in severe cases, physical damage.' As a result, CISA has said that it 'strongly urges' anyone who meets the criteria of being a critical infrastructure asset owners or operator to review the detailed guidance it has released to reduce the instruction risk. The recommended mitigations include: Now those recommendations apply whether the hackers involved are sophisticated or not, so what are you waiting for?
