Microsoft May Allow Android Apps On Windows

If this happens, it could be a major step from Microsoft towards open source technology.  

Reportedly, the Microsoft Corp is conceiving the idea to allow Android apps on Windows given that the Android has become such a success in a short span of time. The company is split in taking the step, though. One segment of Microsoft anticipates that the company should allow Android apps to run inside its platforms to fill the app deficit. The other segment thinks that it will not be a wise choice for the company and will lead to the end of Windows.

As per reports from The Verge, running Android apps on Windows means that Microsoft will allow Android apps on Windows and Windows Phone platforms. The negotiations are still on over the topic and are said to be in their early stages at Microsoft Corp. The Windows maker’s new CEO Satya Nadella is likely to take a call over the matter soon.

If Microsoft heads with this idea, the company may use a virtualisation layer like Bluestacks’ solution to run Android applications on Windows and will provide the apps through its own customised store. Apps like Temple Run in Android version run on Windows 8 using BlueStacks.

No details are available as of now, since Microsoft is yet to make a choice. Microsoft is reportedly keeping a close eye on the performance of Nokia’s new Android smartphone that may be launched at the Mobile World Congress, this month. The performance of the new smartphone is likely to be a deciding factor for Microsoft to take this call.


Author : Shivam Kotwalia, CodeKill

8 Unknown Facts About Android

Did you know that Android wasn’t Google’s idea or that in the beginning it was almost doomed? We bring you some relatively unknown facts about Android.

The very popular Android is an open book for an average smartphone user. However, there are certain facts that are still unknown about Android.

• It wasn’t Google’s idea: Android was the brainchild of Andy Rubin, who founded Android Inc. in October 2003 with the aim of creating a new mobile platform. Google later bought Android Inc. and hired Rubin and others in August 2005.
• It almost didn’t work out: Android almost immediately ran out of cash after its founding, only to be saved, according to the Businessweek, by Steve Perlman.

• The Nexus line was a hot rumour years before the Nexus One: People started predicting about the “gPhone” as early as 2007 though Nexus came out in 2010.

• Microsoft thought it would be a non-event: Microsoft’s Scott Horn, then head of the Windows Mobile marketing team, had told Engadget after Android’s release, “I don’t understand the impact they are going to have.”

• Resolution scaling was introduced in Version 1.6: The ability to automatically scale images based on display size appeared in Donut, or Android 1.6, paving the way for the huge range of device form factors on the Android market today.

• There’s an Android phone in space: A British firm launched a Nexus phone on Space, to control a satellite as part of an experiment and see how well consumer-grade electronics stand up to the rigors of space.

• Every app you run on your Android phone gets its own virtual machine: Each active app on an Android device runs in its own Dalvik VM, which keeps it safe and separate from core functions. This improves battery life and boosts performance of the phone.

• The first official version code name was NOT a dessert: Google’s Dan Morrill confirmed in January that the very first alpha version of Android released to internal developers was R2-D2. 

Author : Shivam Kotwalia, CodeKill

Locked Out of Your Phone? Here’s How You Bypass the Android Pattern Lock Screen

It can be extremely frustrating when you’ve forgotten the pattern you use to lock your smartphone, and even more so if someone has managed to prank you by changing it. Luckily, there’s an easy fix if you know the username and password for the Gmail account you used to set up the lock.

If you’ve somehow forgotten your Gmail info, it’s a bit trickier to bypass the lock screen. As a last resort, there’s always resetting your phone to factory settings, but no one wants that hassle. So, here are a couple of ways to avoid starting from scratch, if you can.

With Google Credentials

If you know your Google username and password, you can have your phone up and running again in no time. First, press the power button to bring up the lock screen. Then draw five incorrect patterns, which shouldn’t be too hard since you’ve already forgotten the correct one.

After the wrong fifth attempt, you should see a screen similar to the first one below. You now have 30 seconds before it will allow you to try again, but before your time is up, hit Forgot pattern? and it will ask you for your Google login information. 

Once you’ve entered it correctly, you’ll be asked to draw a new pattern for your lock screen. It’s as simple as that.

Screen Lock Bypass App

If you can’t remember your Google credentials, there are a few other ways you can get back into your phone. One is with a free app called Screen Lock Bypass, which lets you access all of your data so that you can back it up before resetting. You can also try the Pro version that resets the PIN or pattern so you don’t have to wipe your device.

Just download the app on your computer, install it onto your device via the Web Market and reboot your device. You should see a screen asking you to activate the app. You should know, however, that once you activate it, the app will run every time you reboot, so make sure to uninstall if you’re worried about it falling into the wrong hands.

Using Command Prompt

This one requires you to have Android Debug Bridge (ADB) installed on your computer. ADB is part of the Android SDK, which you can download here. You’ll also need to have USB debugging enabled on your device, which can be found under Settings >> Applications >> Development.

There are two different pieces of code that XDA Developers user m.sabracame up with that you can try. First, connect your phone to your computer via USB. Open Command Prompt and input the following:

Now reboot your phone. If that one alone doesn’t work, try this code:

You’ll still see the pattern lock when you reboot, but it should accept any pattern you try. There’s no guarantee it will work with all devices, but it’s definitely worth trying before you have to reset your phone.

Unfortunately, these methods won’t work for everyone. If your device isn’t compatible with any of the above, you may have to wipe all your data and settings and restore your phone to its default settings. If you’re going to use the pattern lock screen, it’s important to choose a secure pattern, but also to make sure it’s one you can remember so that you don’t have to go through all of this.

Using Restore Factory Default

step 1: switch off your cell phone and remove you sim and memory card
step 2: now hold the power(lock)key+and both volume buttons at once
step 3: now you can see options as recovery mode: volume up , factory mode: volume down
step 4: press volume up buttonphysical button(recovery mode)
step 5: now you can see a android with exclamatory Now press LOCK/POWER button
step 6: Volume up/down to move highlight Now select WIPE DATA/FACTORY RESET
step 7: to press enter(the tricky part it took me hours to figure out this one) below

there are three buttons options menu back try to touch operate near option button and screen over there(like something your scrolling down something like that)

END : you phone will restart as it was wen u bought it from stores…

Have you ever been locked out of your phone? Tell us how you fixed it in the comments.

Like Us on http://www.fb.com/CodeKill
or
Follow Us on http://www.twitter.com/code_kill

10 Video Tutorials For Learning Android Development

There is an increasing demand of Android developers. Hence, it is wise to learn this language at the right time as it will help you take a lead in the competition. 

Although Android programming is largely based on Java, but the two are entirely different from each other. Android is a a software stack, which comprises of an operating system, key applications and middle-ware. Companies are using Android programming language for application development and maintenance. And there is an increasing demand of Android developers. Hence, it is wise to learn this language at the right time as it will help you take a lead in the competition. Recognising the importance of this much-in demand skill, we at EFYTimes, bring to you some Android specific video tutorials/resources.

These video tutorials will help you learn Android programming better:

1. Google developer and author Chet Haase’s tutorials:
(a) DevBytes: View Animations
(b) DevBytes: Property Animations
(c) DevBytes: Property Animations
(d) DevBytes: CrossFading Animations
(e) Android development tutorial

2. Tutorial By Udemi

3. Tutorial By OreillyMedia

4. Tutorial By MarakanaTechTV

5. Tutorial By Android User Group

6. Tutorial By XDA Developers



Author : Shivam Kotwalia, CodeKill

Like Us on http://www.fb.com/CodeKill
or
Follow Us on http://www.twitter.com/code_kill

Top 5 Books On Android App Development

Android app development is one of the most growing career choices for developers. These books can help in that growth. Read on… 

The market for Android smartphones and tablets is exploding with a huge number devices coming on daily basis. Android is undoubtedly one of the most preferred mobile OS for developers today. Considering this, it becomes all the more important for you as a developer, to sharpen your mobile app development skills. Presenting a list of the top five books on Android Development:

1) Hello, Android

Written by Ed Burnette, ‘Hello, Android’ is a great resource for those, who want to get started with their first Android application. It introduces the basics of Android development and gradually prepares with advance features of this mobile platform. It is definitely worth a look if you are on a lookout for a practical tutorial in Android development.

2) Sams Teach Yourself Android Application Development in 24 Hours

Learn Android app development in 24 sessions and for each session you are expected to devote around an hour. The book educates you about the common tasks in Android development and helps you design, develop, test and publish your app to the Android Market. It also features ‘Quizzes and Exercises’ section towards teh end of each chapter that helps you test your understanding on the subject matter Gradually, you learn about Java, Android SDK, Eclipse etc and use Android’s integrated features to build simple UIs Android app.

3) Android Application Development All-in-one for Dummies

As the name suggest, the book is meant for those who are new to the coding world of Android. Written by Donn Felker, the book explains how to download the Android SDK and work with Eclipse so as to get your Android app functional. It starts with very basics of Android development, it educates you on pricing your app and submitting it to the Android Market. The book also guides you about working with classes, numerous screens, databases, debugging, creating home screen widgets etc.

4) Beginning Android Tablet Development

The current book demonstrates you how to begin with Android tablet programming, even when you are a beginner. It enables you to develop your own Android tablet apps, beginning with Android 3.0 Honeycomb onwards. The book explains how to work with 2D programming, and then touches upon 3D touchscreen interface along with the Honeycomb SDK. The book provides you a nice guidance on creating location-based app, your first 2D or 3D Android games.

5) Professional Android 2 Application Development Book Review

This book explains you how to control all the features provided in Android 2.0 onwards. However, it has a precondition that you should be aware of basics of Java programming, Eclipse and so on. 

Shivam Kotwalia, CodeKill

Like Us on http://www.fb.com/CodeKill
or
Follow Us on http://www.twitter.com/code_kill

Screenlogger – A keylogger app for Android and iOS Smartphones

Are you using a pattern lock for your Smartphone to remain untouched from cyber criminals? But you are not aware that even your swipe gestures can be analyzed by hackers.

Neal Hindocha, a security adviser for the technology company Trustwave, has developed a prototype malware for the Smartphones that works the same as a keylogger software for desktop.

The malware dubbed as ‘Screenlogging’, is capable of monitoring finger swipes on the screen of your smart devices in combination with taking screenshots to know exactly how the user is interacting with their phone or tablet, reported by Forbes.

The concept used by him is the same that of Keyloggers, a critical type of malware for cyber criminals, which records the input typed into the keyboard and can easily detect passwords for email, social media and of online bank accounts. In the same way the ‘Screenlogger’ take care of the inputs taped and swiped on the screen. It logs the X and Y coordinates where the user has touched the screen, so a hacker would know what the user is doing and on which application.

Hindocha says, “If you’re monitoring all touch events and the phone hasn’t been touched for at least one hour, then you get a minimum of four touch events, you can assume that is a PIN code being entered.”

He also added that “The more interesting thing is, if you get a screenshot and then overlay the touch events, you’re looking at a screenshot of what the user is seeing, combined with dots, sequentially, where the user is touching the screen.”

But the demonstration of Hindocha works only with the administrative privileges of the device i.e. On the jailbroken iOS and the rooted Android devices only. In order to install the malware, the device should be connected to a computer via USB cable. But this limitation don’t mean to relax, because there are many similar vectors available to infect the device.

It would be estimated that the malicious version of the Proof-of-Concept app created by Hindocha, which is capable of tracking taps and swipes of the users’ Smartphone, a malicious hacker might be able to steal PINs, account numbers, passwords and other sensitive information easily.

Hindocha is planning to demonstrate his ‘Screenlogging’ malware at the upcoming RSA Security conference next month.

Like us on Facebook

Shivam Kotwalia, CodeKill

Like Us on http://www.fb.com/CodeKill
or
Follow Us on http://www.twitter.com/code_kill

15 Great Free Android Tutorials !

Add caption

CodeKill Group brings you some great tutorials on Android programming worth referring to.

Android Programming language utilizes specialized form of Java. Android is known to be a software stack consisting of an operating system, key applications and middle-ware. It is ideal for different kinds of mobiles and tablets.

Android development requires you to be familiar with Java development. Given below are different types of free web resources that will assist you in learning Android programming online:

Free Websites
As a beginner, it is best to begin with Android based websites that provide a detailed description of all the aspects of an Android App along with the capabilities of an Android platform. Please refer to the links below-

1. Official Developer Tutorial – This is made by the android community and open source developers. It is a getting started tutorial designed for beginner developers.

2.Official Developer Tutorials Community – This is created by android community and is designed for experienced developers.

3.Tutorial by Lars Vogel -This is free single page web based tutorial created by Lars Vogel.

4.Android Tutorials By Core Servlets – This site consists of a series of android tutorial with exercise for each section. It also has some other good Java related tutorials for free.

5.Android Hive – This is a android tutorials blog by a enthusiastic android developer (Ravi Tamada) for sharing his knowledge and experience with the world.

Free Video Tutorials

These video tutorials are a great way to begin with Android. It is a huge tutorial series that is available online containing tons of free content, which is bound to teach you coding in the best possible manner. Please refer to the links below-

1. Chet Haase Android Tutorials on YouTube – Some great and simple tutorial by maker of Google and author CHET HAASE on youtube are, please see the links below:-
    o DevBytes: View Animations
         DevBytes: View Animations
    o DevBytes: Property Animations
         DevBytes: Property Animations
     o DevBytes: Window Animations
         DevBytes: Window Animations
     o DevBytes: CrossFading Animations
         DevBytes: CrossFading Animations

2.By Udemy

3.By OreillyMedia

4.By MarakanaTechTV

5.By Android User Group

Free E-books

 The web is filled with over a hundred of free e-books on Android programming containing all the basic concepts relating to the language, both at the beginner and advanced levels. Please refer to the links below-

1.Android Tutorial By Stanford University

2.Android Tutorial

3.Commonsware Android

4.Andbook

5.E Reading Llib Android eBook

o

Shivam Kotwalia, CodeKill

Like Us on http://www.fb.com/CodeKill
or
Follow Us on http://www.twitter.com/code_kill

10 Top Android App Development Tutorials For Newbies

Developing an app for Google’s Android platform is one of the best ways for developers to earn money.

Android app development is one of the foremost choices for any programmer nowadays. The number of apps available on Google Play have been increasing each day, which shows the number of developers interested in the platform. So, CodeKill Group brings 10 tutorials for beginners starting with Android app development.

1. OpenGL ES 2.0: This tutorial will teach you to create a simple Android app using the OpenGL ES 2.0 API.

2. Android Development Tutorial: If you want to use Eclipse to create applications for the Android platform then this is the tutorial that you need.

3. Using Facebook SDK in Android development: This tutorial teaches you how to create an Android application that can login to Facebook and get the user’s Facebook ID.

4. Drawing with Canvas in Android, Saving your drawings: As the name suggests, this is a tutorial on drawin with canvas on Android. It is one out of a series of tutorials on the same topic.

5. Android Google Maps Tutorial: Navigation is a big part of many apps nowadays and this tutorial teaches you how to integrate Google maps into an Android app.

6. Working With Android Contacts: This tutorial teaches you about working with the contacts database for Android. A basic understanding of SQLite is required for this tutorial.

7. How To Create Android Live Wallpaper: Have you seen the Live Wallpapers available on Google Play? This tutorial teaches you how to make them.

8. Building your first Android app: This tutorial teaches you how to build your first Android app. It teaches you the fundamentals of Android app designing like creating a simple user interface.

9. The New Boston: This is a collection of video tutorials on application development for the Android platform. The New Boston is a well known and used resource for programming and development related tutorials.

10. How to build an Android app: In this tutorial you will learn how to go about the two methods of app development for the Android platform. Apps for Android can either be created using the Android SDK or using the Google Labs tool known as App Inventor. 

Shivam Kotwalia, CodeKill

Like Us on http://www.fb.com/CodeKill
or
Follow Us on http://www.twitter.com/code_kill

Buffer Overflow Exploit Discovered In Android SDK

Android SDK also suffers lack of compile-time hardening.

The droidsec security group has discovered and patched a buffer overflow issue and a lack of compile-time hardening in the Android Debug Bridge, with the team deciding to publicly disclose the issues and patches after a lack of communication from Google. The buffer overflow exploit discovered in the Android software development kit effects all versions of the Android Debug Bridge on Linux x86_64.

According to droidsec the exploit has been confirmed on version 18.0.1 of the Android SDK platform tools on x86_64 Ubuntu Linux 12.04. Meanwhile, attempts of exploitation on a 32-bit Linux system and the adb binary found on the Nexus 4 were unsuccesful. Windows systems were kept out of the test.

The exploit starts with an attacker starting a malicious Android Debug Bridge (ADB) server. This ADB server then interfaces with Android devices on a multi-user system and waits for ADB clients to connect. Any command that communicates with the ADB Server will lead to ‘successful’ exploitation. Further, it has been found that the ADB binary failed to have a non-executable stack. Also the executable was not position independent.

“It should also be noted that host compilation also seems to intentionally opt out of the FORTIFY_SOURCE protections. It’s not clear why this is the case since the comment near this line of code references an internal only bug number.” ” droidsec was quoted as saying.

Shivam Kotwalia, CodeKill

Like Us on http://www.fb.com/CodeKill
or
Follow Us on http://www.twitter.com/code_kill

Android Trojan Oldboot Has Infected Over 350,000 Devices!

92 per cent of infections have been detected in China. 

Russian security firm Doctor Web has sounded the alarm for a threat that is well on its way to create a new record of sorts with its deadly lethality! Dangerous Android Trojan ‘Oldboot’ has reportedly infected over 350,000 devices worldwide, claims the firm.

Further, the persistent Android Trojan has spread itself mostly across China with much as 92 per cent of infections , US and Brazil. Italy, Spain, Germany and Russia too fall in line with ‘severe’ infections! Meanwhile, INDIA doesn’t feature in the ‘threat list’ yet, but definitely needs to be careful. Functioning like a bootkit, Oldboot gets embedded into the kernel of Android. Thereon it resides within the device’s memory and launches everytime the device is powered up. This implies Oldboot can reinstall itself when the phone is fired up again post detection and removal. “This malware is particularly dangerous because even if some elements of Android.Oldboot that were installed onto the mobile device after it was turned on are removed successfully, the component imei_chk will still reside in the protected memory area and will re-install the malware after a reboot and, thus, re-infect the system.” explained Doctor Web.

Flashing a device with modified Android firmware that has the Trojan concealed within is one likely route of Oldboot infection.

CodeKill

Like Us on http://www.fb.com/CodeKill
or
Follow Us on http://www.twitter.com/code_kill