Recent commits to AOSP will, once implemented, prevent write access to /system

We’ve heard talks of future Android versions not being too friendly to root users, but so far, workarounds have been found. The changes seen in AOSP could be avoided with an update to root apps. But the latest changes to AOSP that have been spotted could be a lot more drastic, if implemented.

The newest commits aim to improve security in Android, but at the cost of freedom when rooting. These commits will effectively block all write access to /system when in Android, meaning even root apps won’t be able to access the partition. Modifying files in /system has long been a staple in UI customization, so this would be a significant change to those who love to root stock ROMs.

Luckily, it’s not all bad. /system can still be modified from recovery, so many of these root apps can be updated to reboot your device and perform these changes via scripts. However, some apps will simply have to be redone. Also, custom kernels will bring this functionality back, so Android won’t be any less friendly to the developer community. Only stock ROMs will be affected.

The issue is that many recoveries don’t support this function, so users will have to be running a fairly new recovery. Considering how rarely people actually update the recovery, this may cause issues for users. While it’s not hard to update the recovery, many users will end up blaming root app developers.

We know a lot of people love to root the stock ROM and use that, but with these changes, that will no longer be possible. However, a quick flash of a kernel through recovery will alleviate all these problems. It’s one extra step, but it isn’t a very difficult one. Unless of course you have a device that doesn’t allow custom kernels.

While this news isn’t really all that bad, this might just be the beginning. Google is obviously on a quest to make Android as secure as possible, which is great, but we hope that it won’t make things too tough for root users. Google, you need to remember us phone modders and make sure we can still do what we want with Android devices.

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Image of Samsung Galaxy Mega 7.0 leaks, showing off the tablet-sized phone

The Samsung Galaxy Mega series of devices isn’t exactly targeted at the general user here in the States, but it’s meant to be a line of devices that can offer the size of a flagship device, or even bigger, for a low price. Can’t afford both a tablet and a smartphone? A Galaxy Mega may be a great option for you.

But the mid range lineup might be getting a new addition, and it has reached a new level of huge. Overtaking the existing Galaxy Mega 5.8 and 6.3 is the leaked Galaxy Mega 7.0, which features a 7.0-inch display (obviously). This is a new level of large for Samsung, as putting a tablet-sized display into a smartphone is pretty extreme (though not unheard of previously).

This device will feature a 720p resolution, a quad core Snapdragon 400 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, and 8GB of storage. This is by no means a powerhouse, but it will mean a fairly low price for the target market. Sadly, a price, release date, or availability for different countries aren’t available. We’ll just have to wait to hear more info. What do you think of this tablet-sized smartphone?

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Motorola releases source code for Moto E, updates RAZR M/HD code to KitKat

If you’ve picked up a Moto E for the purpose of modifying it, today is your lucky day. Motorola has released the full source code for the device, allowing developers to start building their own kernels. This means you’ll soon see new advancements in the modification scene, assuming enough developers have the Moto E. But at that price, it’s hard to resist.

Motorola has also updated the source code for both the Motorola RAZR HD and the RAZR M. The source code is now for Android 4.4.2 KitKat, the version the devices are running. Good news for everyone, and it’s good to see Motorola supporting these devices.

If you’re interested in modifying your Moto E, head to GitHub in the source links to download the source code. Also, make sure you take advantage of Motorola’s official bootloader unlock method to get started. How many of you have purchased a Moto E, and do you plan on modifying it?

Source: Motorola, GitHub

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 leaks out in new images

The master of leakers, @evleaks, is back again with another leak. Today’s leak brings us several images of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5, an upcoming Samsung tablet that has yet to be announced. Judging from the above picture, the tablet appears to be thin, light, and focused on minimizing bezels. Nonetheless, the bottom bezel still features a physical home button flanked by two capacitative buttons, per standard Samsung style. The back is rocking the same stippled look as the Galaxy S5 and has a camera positioned smack dab at the top of the tablet.

Specs aren’t known, but the pictures reveal dual speakers, a 3.5mm headphone jack, charging port, and a microSD card slot. The software also looks to be toned down from some of Samsung’s past tablets, perhaps a result of Samsung and Google’s agreement to come a little closer to stock Android. Gone is the magazine style UI that filled many of Samsung’s latest tablets, it’s replaced by a more standard tablet UI. We’re not sure if it’s altogether better though, the magazine UI took better advantage of the space than this new set-up. We’ll have to see it in person before we make the final judgement.

Hit the source link below to see a couple more angles of the device.

Would you be interested in a tablet like this one?

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Amazon adding music streaming to Prime?

OK, at this point, who doesn't have a music streaming service?

source CNN.com - Technology http://ift.tt/1jBQw4q

Original Samsung Galaxy Gear being updated to Tizen

Samsung is officially taking the Galaxy out of the original Galaxy Gear. Starting today, Galaxy Gear owners can jump onto Samsung’s updating software Kies and ditch Android on their wearable for the noticeably improved Tizen OS.

This shouldn’t come as much of a shock, because we’ve known an update like this was in the works for some time now. Still, it’s interesting to see Samsung completely scrap the OS on their first smartwatch in order to improve performance, increase battery life, add enhanced voice commands and more. It’s worth noting that if you do update, you will lose everything on your Gear. Other than that, and most likely losing the ability to install the numerous hacks that have surfaced for the Gear since its release, there’s nothing to lose with this update.

As mentioned above, you can grab the update from Kies now. Whether or not this will land as an OTA update through the Gear manager app remains to be seen. If you have an original Gear and install the update, be sure to share your experience below.

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Motorola confirms plans to close year-old Moto X factory in Texas

One of the aspects of the Moto X that was highly touted by Motorola was the fact that the custom Moto X units created using Moto Maker were assembled in a facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Most mobile devices are made overseas, so the fact that the Moto X was being put together in the U.S. was a big deal. Unfortunately, it looks like the Moto X will soon drop its “Assembled in the USA” branding.

Motorola has confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that it will close its Texas-based assembling facility by the end of 2014. “What we found was that the North American market was exceptionally tough,” Motorola President Rick Osterloh explained. The facility currently employs 700 workers, but at one point it housed 3800 employees.

Of course, Moto X production won’t shut down completely when the Texas facility goes offline. A Motorola spokesperson said that the Moto X will continue to be produced in countries like China and Brazil.

While being assembled in the USA isn’t a feature that really affects the Moto X user experience, it’s still kind of a big deal. As I said before, most other devices are made overseas, and being assembled in the US helped Motorola to get units to buyers quickly and could also instill a sense of patriotism in buyers.

It’s also worth pointing out that while Lenovo recently agreed to acquire Motorola from Google, Moto’s Rick Osterloh says that the decision to close the Texas plant was made independent of the Lenovo deal.

What do you think of this news? Are you disappointed that the Moto X will no longer be “Assembled in the USA?”

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Facebook cuts back on spam

For the second time in just over a week, Facebook has done an about-face on a feature that has bothered some users for a while.

source CNN.com - Technology http://ift.tt/1oD086C