Epic Games has decided to release Fortnite for Android outside of the Google Play Store, presumably because it doesn't want to give Google a 30% cut of its revenue. The Fortnite installer has to be downloaded from the Fortnite website instead.One of the potential problems that brings with it is security: apps outside the Google Play Store aren't subject to the same checks and scans as those inside it. Well, it turns out Google is still keeping an eye on Fortnite – it recently identified a security flaw in the Fortnite installer, which Epic Games has since patched and made safe.The Fortnite installer grabs the main app and downloads it to a phone. The security flaw, however, allowed any other app on the device to intercept that request and substitute it for another – essentially installing a different app unbeknownst to the user or the installer.Flaws for thoughtObviously that's quite a serious issue – and given the popularity of Fortnite it's probably one that hackers … [Read more...] about Google has already helped patch a serious flaw in Fortnite for Android
Google Wifi review: The best way to blanket your entire home with Wi-Fi
If you want to extend fast internet to every corner of your home, the Google Wifi is the best device to do it. You just need two things:An internet-connected iOS or Android mobile device, like a phone or a tabletA Google account, which you can get for freeThis is because, unlike most routers, there's no web-based interface and the new Wi-Fi system can only be set up and controlled via the new Google Wifi mobile application. Once set up, the Google Wifi will stay connected to Google at all times and will log into your Google account each time you want to manage it.Google says the Wifi doesn't collect user activity data, like what sites you're visiting. By default, it appears to collect only hardware-, app- and network-related information. However, you can turn this off in the Privacy section of the settings.Still, a constant connection to Google is required. That's a dealbreaker for some. Not all home mesh Wi-Fi systems, which use several "satellite" devices to extend the Wi-Fi signal, … [Read more...] about Google Wifi review: The best way to blanket your entire home with Wi-Fi
Google Pixel 2 XL review: Promising phone with new caveats
Editors' note: This review was originally published Oct. 17, 2017 at 6 a.m. PT. It was updated on Oct. 23 detailing the Pixel 2 XL's screen burn-in issue, on Oct. 25 with further observations and Google's initial remarks, and on Oct. 26 with the company's follow-up statement detailing a software fix and extended two-year warranty. When it comes to the camera, processor and software, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are both identical and fantastic. The differences between the two come down to price (obviously), size, bezel width and screen technology. We loved our early experience with the Pixel 2 XL, but any potential buyers need to know about some problems with its screen that have come to light since we first reviewed the phone, and the upcoming software fix Google says will address it. 28 Pixel 2 and 2 XL photos: Feast your eyes Wait, what's happening? The Pixel 2 XL has a bigger 6-inch display and a higher resolution than the 5-inch Pixel 2. But it also … [Read more...] about Google Pixel 2 XL review: Promising phone with new caveats
Google Home Mini is a great alternative to the Amazon Echo Dot
Editors' note, May 31, 2018: Since it first went on sale in October of 2017, the Google Home Mini and the built-in Google Assistant have had a number of upgrades and changes. This review has been updated accordingly.If it wasn't for the Amazon Echo Dot ($40 at Amazon.com), I'd recommend the Google Home Mini to everyone. Google successfully fit all of the smarts of the original Google Home ($129 at Walmart) into a fun-size package. You can give it voice commands, just like you can with the Google Home or any of Amazon's Echo line of products. Like Google Home, the Mini has Google's version of Alexa (called Google Assistant) built in, and Google Assistant is a great and well-rounded digital assistant.Google Assistant has been chasing Alexa since Google debuted it in 2016. Google Home Mini joined the race late last year to chase the popular, affordable Echo Dot. At this point, Google Assistant is just as capable as Alexa, so the Mini is a great alternative to the Dot, especially since … [Read more...] about Google Home Mini is a great alternative to the Amazon Echo Dot
Facebook, Twitter, Google and others to meet about midterm elections, report says
Representatives from the biggest companies in tech will meet privately Friday to share information on how they're preparing for the midterm election, Buzzfeed reported late Thursday. The goal of the meeting apparently is to try to avoid a repeat of the Russian interference that occurred during the 2016 US election. Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook's head of cybersecurity policy, called the meeting, inviting representatives from a dozen companies, including Google, Microsoft and Snapchat, to a meeting at Twitter's headquarters in downtown San Francisco, Buzzfeed reported, citing an email it had obtained."As I've mentioned to several of you over the last few weeks, we have been looking to schedule a follow-on discussion to our industry conversation about information operations, election protection, and the work we are all doing to tackle these challenges," Gleicher reportedly wrote in the email. Now Playing: Watch this: Twitter's newest feature informs users about political... 1:20 … [Read more...] about Facebook, Twitter, Google and others to meet about midterm elections, report says