Android 4.3 : une fonctionnalité cachée pour contrôler les permissions des apps

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Open Source : La fonctionnalité s'appelle App Ops, et permet de vérifier ont été données aux applications pour l'accès aux différents outils physiques et logiciels de l'appareil.

La dernière version d'Android Jelly Bean, la 4.3, apporte dans ses fonctionnalités masquées une nouveauté intéressante pour les utilisateurs : la possibilité de surveiller finement les permissions laissées aux applications installées sur l'appareil, rapporte Android Police.

A l'installation aussi

Alors qu'il fallait jusqu'à maintenant faire un choix radical - autoriser toutes les permissions ou ne pas installer l'application - App Ops est un nouveau menu regroupant toutes les permissions des logiciels tiers installés. Quelle application peut accéder au GPS, lire vos contacts ou connaître vos rendez-vous... App Ops donne en quasi-temps réel les accès réalisés.

Les utilisateurs pourront également refuser d'accorder certaines permissions, et ce beaucoup plus facilement qu'avec les solutions déjà disponibles. Dans une mise-à-jour de son article, le site rapporte même qu'il est possible de gérer ces permissions au moment de l'installation d'une application.

Il semble que la fonctionnalité sera accessible à tous dans le futur, et qu'elle n'est masquée que parce qu'elle n'est pas tout à fait prête. Il faut donc passer par un chemin un peu détourné, en lançant une application capable de démarrer une "Activité", à l'instar du launcher tiers Nova par exemple.

Dans le menu "Settings", App Ops apparaît, et peut être lancé avec un raccourci. Cependant, une autre solution existe pour ceux qui auraient déjà installé Android 4.3 : il s'agit de l'application tierce "Permission Manager", disponible sur le Google Play.

New Gsm

Android 4.3: a hidden feature to control the permissions of the apps

Open Source: The feature is called App Ops, and allows to check given to applications for access to the various tools physical and software of the device.

The latest version of Android Jelly Bean, 4.3, brings in its hidden features an interesting novelty for users: the ability to finely monitor permissions left to the applications installed on the device, reports Android Police.

The installation also

While it was necessary until now to make a radical choice - allow all permissions, or do not install the application - App Ops is a new menu grouping all the permissions installed third-party software. What application can access the GPS, read your contacts or know your appointments... App Ops provides near real-time achieved access.

Users may also refuse to grant certain permissions, and this much more easily than with solutions already available. A-update of its article, the site reported even it is possible to manage these permissions upon installation of an application.

It seems that the feature will be accessible to all in the future, and it is hidden because it is not quite ready. It must pass through a somewhat circuitous path, by launching an application that can start an "activity", like the third launcher Nova for example.

In the menu "Settings" App Ops appears, and can be launched with a shortcut. However, an alternative exists for those who have already installed Android 4.3: it's the third "Permission Manager" application, which is available on the Google Play.

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean available for the Nexus. What are the new features?

Technology: Google broadcasts since yesterday the last update Android 4.3 for smartphones and tablets of the Nexus family. The menu, support of Bluetooth Low Energy, support OpenGL ES 3.0 for 3D display or even a more substantial management of user profiles.

Google wasted no time. Just yesterday unveiled while the Nexus 7 and HDMI Chromecast, Android 4.3 Jelly Bean key was immediately available for the Nexus Terminal. Referred to as 'minor' update, it in does not least some notable innovations.

Starting with support for Bluetooth Low Energy used by a growing number of sensors for sport and fitness as well as smart watches. Android 4.3 also inaugurates the support of OpenGL ES 3.0 in order to provide an even more realistic 3D rendering, especially in games.

Notable news

Note also the possibility to activate the AutoComplete with the dial pad. Thus, when one begins to dial a number, suggestions of contacts are displayed.

For tablets, Android 4.3 offers several setting options to manage multi user accounts. For every profile created, one can define the type of application to which it will be able to access.

The update is broadcast since yesterday for all smartphones and tablets of the Nexus range and should arrive shortly on the 'Google Play Edition' of the S4 Galaxy and HTC One versions. (Eureka press)

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A bug affecting 99% of terminals Android could pave the way for malware

The announcement came from Bluebox, a company of unknown security a few days ago, but who ventured into the very choppy waters of security on the Android operating system. According to the editor, 99% of Android devices are affected by a bug allowing to bypass the security of the system model.

Because of this flaw, a pirate could modify the application code to the APK, the format of containers for the Android applications, without having to break the cryptographic signature. Opportunities possible: malware, Trojan horses, data recovery, etc. Without that user, the phone or the app store to make account.

99% of affected devices

In addition to the blessed bread that it constitutes for the communication services of the editors of security solutions for Android, this flaw "has huge implications", says Bluebox. "Vulnerability, pretty much since the release of Android 1.6 (code name: Donut), can reach any phone released in the last four years - is nearly 900 million devices - and according to the type of application, an attacker can exploit the vulnerability for anything, from data theft to create a mobile botnet."

Bluebox discovery was communicated to Google last February, and the editor today asked manufacturers to update their systems to correct the fault. Those who possess a somewhat old model may wait a long time, but it is very likely that for recent models, the fault has been corrected in the last four months.

That said, as GigaOm, do not be fooled on the Bluebox speech, which necessarily somewhat forward his discovery and expertise. For the online magazine, it will change nothing for most users.

An argument for the Store Play?

Even though he admits that this is not just "a stunt", GigaOm tempers the new. As often, will be especially concerned users who download applications outside Google Play Store. The new is not conspicuous by its incitement to freedom of choice, especially as Google has strengthened its limitations for applications on the app store: impossible for publishers to authorize updates outside the system of Play Store.

This novelty was presented last April... Either two months after Bluebox pointed the fault to Google, according to the dates of the editor. For those who, for many reasons (lack in the country of residence as in China, desire for independence from services Google, etc), prefer to use an alternative store app, risks may be somewhat mixed by systematically checking the identity of the Publisher and by updating the device.

Twitter API: a client for Android attempts to circumvent restrictions

Are the restrictions imposed by Twitter to external clients being exceeded? It would seem that Falcon Pro, a popular application on Android, has found a way to get rid of the limit of 100,000 tokens (tokens) maximum imposed by the social network.

Because of this limitation, the application was forced to refuse new users, and had to withdraw from the Google Play Store. Two problems arose however Joaquim yards, the developer: how to continue to accept new users, and how to allow for updates for existing users?

Update-externally via a website

For the second question, the solution came from the withdrawal of Google Play Store, precisely. Now, the Falcon Pro updates will be distributed via a dedicated website. Sober enough, the site allows to simply download the latest version of the client - currently the 2.04, in the form of APK, the format of the applications on Android containers.

Manual installation required, so with transfer of the APK on the storage of the phone (either by a direct download or by transfer from a computer), and obliged to allow installing applications from sources other than the Store Play on the phone.

Not a priori concern, since the Publisher is known, but this may annoy some users who prefer a-update transparently and automatically. "The requirement to install it is to already hold a token," still says the developer. "In this way, existing users can make their updates and I violate any rules of Twitter."

Of false applications registered

The other problem is a little more complicated to solve.On post Google + where he explains the changes, Joaquim yards is mysterious. "I want to try a little experiment with this version of the application. If you don't have a token, there is always a way to register... But you will need to find it."

It only took only two hours to a user to find the solution, and the post comment on Google +. Hidden and somewhat tedious - handling must tap several times the corners of the application in a specific order and then shake the phone - allows to show a "custom login" dialog box.

Falcon Pro solution? Prompt the user to save a non-existing application on the Twitter site dedicated to developers, and then copy the API key in the application itself. For the time being, explains The Verge, Twitter has not responded, but there are chances that this circumvention of its limits quickly prohibited by the social network.

Twitter is however difficult to make a public case of these workarounds, these being the result of its own restrictive policy, which limits to 100,000 users an application through the tokens. Falcon Pro, one of the best clients on Twitter, is that using the rules to bypass. Until these rules be strengthened...

A bug affecting 99% of terminals Android could leave the door open to malware

The announcement came from Bluebox, a company of unknown security a few days ago, but who ventured into the very choppy waters of security on the Android operating system. According to the editor, 99% of Android devices are affected by a bug allowing to bypass the security of the system model.

Because of this flaw, a pirate could modify the application code to the APK, the format of containers for the Android applications, without having to break the cryptographic signature. Opportunities possible: malware, Trojan horses, data recovery, etc. Without that user, the phone or the app store to make account.

99% of affected devices

In addition to the blessed bread that it constitutes for the communication services of the editors of security solutions for Android, this flaw "has huge implications", says Bluebox. "Vulnerability, pretty much since the release of Android 1.6 (code name: Donut), can reach any phone released in the last four years - is nearly 900 million devices - and according to the type of application, an attacker can exploit the vulnerability for anything, from data theft to create a mobile botnet."

Bluebox discovery was communicated to Google last February, and the editor today asked manufacturers to update their systems to correct the fault. Those who possess a somewhat old model may wait a long time, but it is very likely that for recent models, the fault has been corrected in the last four months.

That said, as GigaOm, do not be fooled on the Bluebox speech, which necessarily somewhat forward his discovery and expertise. For the online magazine, it will change nothing for most users.

An argument for the Store Play?

Even though he admits that this is not just "a stunt", GigaOm tempers the new. As often, will be especially concerned users who download applications outside Google Play Store. The new is not conspicuous by its incitement to freedom of choice, especially as Google has strengthened its limitations for applications on the app store: impossible for publishers to authorize updates outside the system of Play Store.

This novelty was presented last April... Either two months after Bluebox pointed the fault to Google, according to the dates of the editor. For those who, for many reasons (lack in the country of residence as in China, desire for independence from services Google, etc), prefer to use an alternative store app, risks may be somewhat mixed by systematically checking the identity of the Publisher and by updating the device.

Android holds more than 70% of the European market of smartphones

Android reigns over Europe. Kantar Worldpanel ComTech has published the figures for sales of smartphones for the period from March to may 2013. On the five main European countries (England, Germany, Spain, France and Italy), the Google OS represents 70.4% of sales in the period with an increase of 9.1% in one year. iOS is a distant second with 17.8% 1.4%.

Windows Phone is with Android mobile OS only to have seen its market share grow positively, from 4.3% to 4.2%. BlackBerry falls strongly by 7% to 2.5% of Symbian (from 5.4% to 1.2%).

65.2% of market share in France

If we take only the figures for the France, Android is 65.2% (+ 8.5%), ahead of iOS (17.9%), Windows Phone (7.4%), BlackBerry (2.9%) and Symbian (1.4%).

The study by Kantar Worldpanel ComTech also stresses the fact that nearly 50% of the smartphones sold in Europe during this period are of Samsung brand. But analysts point to a resurgence of Sony who became the 4th seller of smartphones in England. Across the channel, 38% of the buyers of a Xperia model are old Samsung users and Kantar believes that the Korean brand will have to be vigilant against competition who knows how to offer products combining quality of finish and use approval. (Eureka press)

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Windows Phone: Microsoft plays with the figures for troller Android

Microsoft feels strong. Very strong. Is this stunning figures, which assign 3.2% market share worldwide, that rises it to the head? On the occasion of its Build conference for developers, the Redmond giant is allowed to rule troller Android.

The key figures published by Microsoft on the first-time buyers to Windows Phone, its mobile operating system. These are quite interesting, but as often in one direction.

Brian song

The editor of Windows Phone seems to have this interesting ability to always look on the bright side of life. Thus, it is not so much the relative market share of its operating system against that ofAndroid (75% at the global level) or iOS (17.3%) that interests him.

Microsoft prefers to look at the source of new customers... And for good reason: he found that 23% of them had abandoned their Android smartphone to pass on Windows Phone. Rather flattering, no?

Obviously, we will not know how many users do not renew their Windows Phone with a device with the same OS, how many leave on Android, iOS, etc. As we will not know how much of these "first-time buyers" to a smartphone go to competing systems rather than on Windows Phone.

The table in would have probably been tempered. As Microsoft viewing elsewhere: it has views on these 4 billion owners of conventional phones in the world who are not smartphone. The famous "next billion" dear to the giants of digital, which must bring new opportunities and new uses against a now dynamic 'developed countries' market, but which eventually will reach maturity.

Catch the 'next billion'

On this ground, Microsoft wants offensive. He indeed realized that 42% of sold Windows Phone smartphones came in replacement of basic phones. Validates the strategy of Microsoft and its partners on the entry and mid-tier, considers WP Central, who noted the information in the Build.

Redmond hopes to attract in his garden of simplicity users who don't want iOS or are too complicated Android, we are told in the article (from a specialized blog in the Windows Phone News). Better, Microsoft would make the demonstration of his quality by exploiting the weaknesses and the mediocrity of Android - Build, it has well been insisted that move from Android to Windows Phone was an "upgrade" (upgrade).

This lovely picture of the bone explains perhaps the growth in crazy Windows Phone in market shares, which jumped by 1.1 point on a slippery between the first quarter of 2012 and Q1 2013 year, when Android did an increase of 15.9%. That the figures are stubborn!

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Les smartphones Android et iOS chassent les téléphones classiques

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Etats-Unis : l'iPhone plus chronophage que les smartphones Android

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France : 44% de la population équipée de smartphones en majorité sous Android

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Les études sur l'adoption des smartphones et des tablettes en France se suivent et se ressemblent. La deuxième édition du baromètre du Marketing Mobile (réalisé par comScore, GfK et Médiamétrie) ne déroge pas à la règle.

A fin mars, l'étude avance que plus 18 millions de Français accèdent désormais quasi-quotidiennement à Internet depuis leur mobile. Plus précisément, on compte désormais 24,1 millions de possesseurs de smartphones, soit 44,4% de la population française de 11 ans et plus.

Grâce à la puissance de Samsung, Android règne en maître avec une part de marché de 51,7% devant iOS (22%), Blackberry (7,6%) et Windows Phone (4,6%). Ce classement contredit donc quelque peu les récentes déclarations de Microsoft qui affirmait que son OS était désormais le numéro trois du marché hexagonal à quelques encablures des 10% de parts de marché. Visiblement, ce n'est pas encore fait.

Windows Phone n'est pas encore troisième

En termes d’usages, le pourcentage des mobinautes qui utilisent l’Internet mobile quasi quotidiennement a bondi de plus 5 points de 72,1% à 77,7% en un trimestre et ils sont désormais 7,3 millions à télécharger des applications mobiles chaque mois.

Quant aux tablettes tactiles, elles sont présentes dans plus de 18% des foyers français, soit une croissance de 132% en un an, la base installée atteint 5,1 millions d'unités.

"Les chiffres de mars 2013 confirment la prise de pouvoir des tablettes, dont les ventes dépasseront celles des PC portables en 2013. En termes d’usage, le décollage du M-Commerce est bien confirmé avec près de 3 millions d’acheteurs qui représentent un formidable gisement de croissance pour les Marques et les distributeurs" commente Philippe Dumont, Rapporteur de la Commission Services Smartphones et Tablettes de la Mobile Marketing Association France.

Il devrait en effet se vendre cette année en France 6 millions de tablettes contre 4,2 millions de PC portables. Les ventes de smartphones devraient dépasser les 15 millions.

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Chiffres clés : le marché des tablettes (monde et France)

Smartphones Android : la domination écrasante de Samsung

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D’après Strategy Analytics, les ventes mondiales de smartphones sous Android ont généré 5,3 milliards de dollars de revenus pour les constructeurs au premier trimestre 2013.

Android une « cash machine » pour les fabricants de terminaux ? Pas forcément. Car ces profits sont en effet monopolisés par un constructeur, Samsung, qui a lui seul a engrangé près de 95% de ces recettes (94,7%).

Samsung pourrait peser sur les développements futurs d'Android

Le coréen laisse par conséquent très peu de place aux autres fabricants de smartphones. Sur la période, Strategy Analytics classe LG second avec une part de marché de 2,5% et un chiffre d’affaires évalué à 0,1 milliard de dollars. Les autres constructeurs se partagent donc le solde, 2,7%, soit environ 100 millions de dollars.

Cette situation de marché rend dès lors, d’après le cabinet, Google et Android, très dépendants de Samsung.

« Nous pensons que Samsung génère plus de revenus et de profit grâce à la plate-forme Android que ne le fait Google [Ndlr : ce que confirmait Asymco en 2012 déjà]. Samsung dispose d’une forte puissance de marché et pourrait utiliser cette position pour influer sur la direction future de l’écosystème Android » juge Neil Mawston de Strategy Analytics.

Sur quoi pourrait notamment peser Samsung ? Pour l’analyste, le coréen pourrait notamment demander à bénéficier en premier, et avant ses concurrents, de la dernière mise à jour d’Android. Une concession difficile à accorder pour Google, par ailleurs propriétaire d’un autre constructeur de smartphone Android, Motorola, racheté à prix d'or (12,5 milliards de dollars).

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France: 44% of the population of most Android smartphones

Studies on the adoption of smartphones and tablets in France go by and look. The second edition of the barometer of Mobile Marketing (directed by comScore, GfK and Médiamétrie) is no exception to the rule.

At end of March, the study suggests that more than 18 million French access now almost daily to the Internet from their mobile. More specifically, there are now 24.1 million owners of smartphones, or 44.4% of the French population aged 11 years and over.

Thanks to the power of Samsung, Android reigns supreme with a market share of 51.7% ahead of iOS (22%), Blackberry (7.6%) and Windows Phone (4.6%). This classification therefore somewhat contradicts recent statements by Microsoft who claimed that its OS was now the number three of the hexagonal market a few kilometers from the 10% of market share. Obviously, this is not yet done.

Windows Phone is not even third

In terms of usage, the percentage of users who use the mobile Internet almost daily basis jumped over 5 points from 72.1% to 77.7% in one quarter and they are now 7.3 million to download mobile applications each month.

As for Tablet PCs, they are present in more than 18% of French households, either a 132% growth in one year, the installed base reached 5.1 million units.

"The figures for March 2013 confirm power tablets, whose sales will exceed those of laptops in 2013. In terms of use, M-Commerce takeoff is well confirmed with nearly 3 million buyers who represent a formidable pool of growth for brands and distributors' commented Philippe Dumont, Rapporteur of the Commission Services Smartphones and tablets of the Mobile Marketing Association France.

It should in fact sell this year in France 6 million tablets against 4.2 million notebook PCs. Sales of smartphones are expected to exceed the 15 million.

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Key figures: the market of tablets (world and France)

United States: the more time consuming than Android smartphones iPhone

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Smartphones Android : la domination écrasante de Samsung

AppId is over the quota
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D’après Strategy Analytics, les ventes mondiales de smartphones sous Android ont généré 5,3 milliards de dollars de revenus pour les constructeurs au premier trimestre 2013.

Android une « cash machine » pour les fabricants de terminaux ? Pas forcément. Car ces profits sont en effet monopolisés par un constructeur, Samsung, qui a lui seul a engrangé près de 95% de ces recettes (94,7%).

Samsung pourrait peser sur les développements futurs d'Android

Le coréen laisse par conséquent très peu de place aux autres fabricants de smartphones. Sur la période, Strategy Analytics classe LG second avec une part de marché de 2,5% et un chiffre d’affaires évalué à 0,1 milliard de dollars. Les autres constructeurs se partagent donc le solde, 2,7%, soit environ 100 millions de dollars.

Cette situation de marché rend dès lors, d’après le cabinet, Google et Android, très dépendants de Samsung.

« Nous pensons que Samsung génère plus de revenus et de profit grâce à la plate-forme Android que ne le fait Google [Ndlr : ce que confirmait Asymco en 2012 déjà]. Samsung dispose d’une forte puissance de marché et pourrait utiliser cette position pour influer sur la direction future de l’écosystème Android » juge Neil Mawston de Strategy Analytics.

Sur quoi pourrait notamment peser Samsung ? Pour l’analyste, le coréen pourrait notamment demander à bénéficier en premier, et avant ses concurrents, de la dernière mise à jour d’Android. Une concession difficile à accorder pour Google, par ailleurs propriétaire d’un autre constructeur de smartphone Android, Motorola, racheté à prix d'or (12,5 milliards de dollars).

Voir aussi notre page
Chiffres clés : les ventes de mobiles et de smartphones dans le monde

Android 4.3 pourrait finalement arriver le 10 juin

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Android 4.3 could finally arrive on 10 June

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