Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Software : Android 5.1 should fix some of Lollipop's stickiest problems

Software : Android 5.1 should fix some of Lollipop's stickiest problems

Android 5.1 should fix some of Lollipop's stickiest problems

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Android 5.1 should fix some of Lollipop's stickiest problems

Android One owners abroad have already gotten a taste of the next Android update on their entry-level devices, and as a result, details are leaking about how Google may address some of its little quirks.

PhoneArena today reported that the upcoming Android 5.1 update to Android 5.0 Lollipop will apparently take aim at a number of nagging issues related to the look and feel of Google's mobile operating system.

Rumors have pegged a release across the rest of the planet for next month, although it's unclear why Google is remaining so secretive about the point-one update, which includes making the factory images unavailable to developers and end users for now.

Thanks to an early release on a handful of low-end handsets now available in the Philippines, we have a clearer idea of some of the visual flourishes and little improvements being planned for the next Lollipop update.

Android 5.1 hide invert colors

Tap, hold, hide

Google+ user @AnjoCerdeña posted an image of one such change that enables Android users to hide quick settings that have inadvertently become activated, specifically Invert Colors and Wi-Fi Hotspot.

Android 5.0 Lollipop users have already discovered that the aforementioned quick settings can't be removed - at least not without trickery, such as changing the date and time on the afflicted handset.

Google engineers apparently hope to address this unintuitive "feature" with the ability to hide such settings once they've been accidentally triggered, which can be done with a tap and hold on the option in question.

Last week, an HTC executive appeared to confirm that Google plans to roll out Android 5.1 in March, an update also expected to restore silent mode, improve RAM management, solve notification issues, and a raft of other improvements.

Microsoft extends Office 365 email expiry date

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Microsoft extends Office 365 email expiry date

Microsoft has delivered an update to Office 365 for Exchange Online users that means emails will no longer be deleted automatically after 30 days.

Up until now deleted items were moved into the folder of the same name before disappearing after 30 days and the new update allows the system administrator to set this period to indefinitely or another preferred duration.

Office 365 administrators will see the default MRM policy change for everyone using Exchange Online and any administrators that want to opt out of the policy can do so by changing the policy name in Office 365 by going to Office 365 Admin settings.

Long-term retention now a reality

To do that, once in the settings you select Exchange admin center > compliance management > retention policies and from there select default MRM policy, edit and change the name to avoid the update.

The advent of the cloud means that long-term data retention for items such as enterprise emails is more of a possibility going forwards and Microsoft will hope that offering this means that enterprise customers will remain on board with its email offering.

Via: Microsoft

Google reveals its big plan to combat Apple Pay

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Google reveals its big plan to combat Apple Pay

Tired of feeling like second-class citizens next to Apple Pay, contactless mobile payment pioneers Google Wallet and Softcard have teamed up with three of the nation's largest wireless carriers.

The Google Commerce Blog today announced plans to ramp up adoption of Google Wallet, the near-field communication (NFC) based mobile payment technology first introduced in 2011.

Rather than attempt to compete with carrier-backed rival Softcard against the Apple Pay behemoth, Google has chosen to partner with the service formerly known as ISIS Mobile Wallet.

A joint venture between US carriers AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless, Softcard will relinquish "some exciting technology and intellectual property" to Google Wallet, which will soon come preinstalled on Android 4.4 KitKat or higher smartphones sold by the three carriers.

Strength in numbers

Having Google Wallet already installed on new Android handsets could presumably go a long way toward fending off Apple Pay, which is baked right into iOS 8.1 on Touch ID-enabled iPhone 5S, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones, as well as the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3.

The move also gives Google Wallet a whiff of legitimacy, given the service has a somewhat checkered history with US carriers (we're looking at you, Verizon) who favored their own competing Softcard technology.

The announcement specifically singles out the "tap and pay functionality" of Google Wallet will be a big part of the mix when AT&T, T-Mobile US and Verizon begin offering the app preinstalled on Android devices later this year.

In the wake of Apple Pay's launch last fall, Google Wallet and Softcard also faced setbacks as major US retailers such as CVS and Rite Aid blocked all three tap-and-pay services from stores in favor of a fourth competitor known as CurrentC, which has yet to hit the market.
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