Android 5.1, the first Lollipop maintenance release, is on the way

Update: Google has officially announced Android 5.1 Lollipop, which will begin rolling out from today.

Original story: As tends to happen shortly before Nexus updates start rolling out, T-Mobile has updated its support documents with references to a new update for the Nexus 5. Android 5.1 Lollipop build LMY47D is to begin rolling out today, March 9, according to the updated docs. This number is consistent with Android 5.1 build numbers we've seen doing the rounds on Android One devices in the past month, so it'd seem this is indeed the first major maintenance update for Lollipop.
As for the timing? Well, carrier documentation doesn't have a 100 percent track record, but we're keeping our fingers crossed. So far there's been no update to the T-Mo Nexus 6, Sprint Nexus 5 or Sprint Nexus 6 documentation, however. If an update does drop, it should be pushed out to Nexus 5 and 6 phones regardless of which carrier they're on.

Google quietly launches an early version of a new interactive app for events

Google has released a new app to the Play Store called Interactive Events. As the name implies, this new app is developed for events and hosted sessions. Unfortunately, we're unable to test out the features as you're required to sign-in to an event using text or QR code. Clearly Google is still working on things.
Humorously, it appears as though Google left some code inside the app when soft-launching the app to the store as you're greeted by the following message.

"Shhh! This is a CONFIDENTIAL internal dogfood version of the Interactive Events app. Do not show this to non-Googlers and do not discuss this externally."

It's a good job we're not writing about it then! As touched on above, it's rather difficult to see what the app is built for, though we'd assume that it would be compatible with a variety of supported events, offering a unified experience for each from the same app. We'll keep our eyes peeled for any information to come out of the search giant.

Dropbox patches security flaw in its Android SDK

Dropbox announced today that it has fixed a security vulnerability in its Android SDK that could potentially allow an attacker to capture new data being saved in vulnerable third-party apps, resulting in files being saved to the attacker's Dropbox in place of the user's.

Dropbox says that it patched the issue for a number of popular third-party apps a few months ago, but it recommends that all developers update their apps to the latest version of service's Android SDK.
The company goes on to note that the security issue was relatively minor, and the majority of apps using its SDKs were most likely not vulnerable:

Every app works differently, so many apps using the affected SDKs weren't vulnerable at all or required additional factors to exploit. This vulnerability couldn't give attackers access to any existing files in a user's account, and users with the Dropbox app installed on their devices were never vulnerable. There are no reports or evidence to indicate the vulnerability was ever used to access user data.

In any case, if you're an Android developer using Dropbox's Core API or Sync/Datastore SDKs, you may want to update your app to use the latest versions.

Update: Clarified that the security flaw only had the potential to affect new data being saved in vulnerable third-party apps.

Cyanogen partners with Boxer for its alternative Android email replacement

It is no secret that the folks at Cyanogen want to build a stand alone Android replacement, and here they go putting the pieces together.

Creating an Android replacement without accessing Google Services is something that not many are sure can happen, but that isn't stopping the Cyanogen team from trying. We have already seen Qualcomm partner with Cyanogen and Microsoft apparently invest in them but it was still a mystery as to how they planned to replace the built in Google Services that many of us rely on heavily.
Earlier today Boxer announced that they have partnered with Cyanogen to bring a top notch email experience, and it will be available with the release of Cyanogen OS 12. This partnership will bring the premium version of Boxer along with a new Material Design that will only be found in Cyanogen OS 12.

"The level of customization with the Boxer-powered Email app gives users more choice and customization features when it comes to managing their email, tasks, and host of productivity features. Our partnership with Boxer brings a number of enhanced inbox features that our users will find very compelling." – David Herman, VP of Product, Cyanogen Inc."

This update will be available in the coming weeks for the OnePlus One as well as the Micromax Yureka so be sure to stay tuned for further developments.

Google's new reference app shows devs how to do multi-screen apps right

Google has released a new Android example app for applications meant for multiple form factors and screen sizes.

The sample app, called Universal Music Player, uses a number of new features from Android 5.0 Lollipop, and offers guidance to developers for getting their apps to work well and look good on multiple screen sizes, including phones, Android Wear devices, and Android Auto.
From the Android Developers Blog:

"  This sample, the Universal Music Player, is a bare-bones but functional reference app that supports multiple devices and form factors in a single codebase. It is compatible with Android Auto, Android Wear, and Google Cast devices. Give it a try and easily adapt your own app for wherever your users are, be that a phone, watch, TV, car, or more! "

The app shows developers how to implement features such as putting playback controls and album art on the lock screen and controlling playback through Android Auto and Android Wear. You can check out code samples on Google's Samples GitHub page at the link below.

The new Google Store is your one-stop web shop for Chromebooks, Nexus devices and more

Google has just launched a dedicated website, the Google Store, where the company will sell all of its hardware products, including Chromebooks, Nexus smartphones and tablets and more.

 

The new storefront comes at the same time Google is launching a new version of its high-end Chromebook Pixel. The new Pixel is available from the Google Store, along with Nexus devices, Android Wear smartwatches, the Chromecast TV adapter, and the Nest thermostat.
In addition, the Google Store offers a selection of accessories such as cases, keyboards and chargers. While Google has sold hardware directly to consumers via the Google Play Store in the past, the company stated in a blog post that launching this dedicated store should make it easier for users to find and purchase them. The store's also opening up wider international availability for some devices, including the arrival of the ASUS ZenWatch in the UK, sold directly to consumers for the first time. Like the Moto 360, it's priced at £199.99.
Google says, "If you recently bought a device on Google Play, don't worry—your order info will automatically be transferred to the Google Store." They are also offering free shipping for a limited time for all Google Store purchases (though when that ends, we don't know).

Microsoft is looking to bring its personal assistant to the Android platform as a standalone app.

Microsoft is looking to bring its personal assistant to the Android platform as a standalone app.

Microsoft is looking to bring its personal assistant to iOS and Android as a standalone app. Part of project "Einstein", which Microsoft Research managing director Eric Horvitz is involved with, the company is working on advancing Cortana to improve on its personal assistant offering, prior to rolling out on other platforms. According to Reuters:

"Later, Cortana will be available as a standalone app, usable on phones and tablets powered by Apple Inc's iOS and Google Inc's Android, people familiar with the project said."

Currently, Microsoft has rolled out Cortana on compatible Windows Phones and in early builds of Windows 10. According to an interview between Horvitz and Reuters, Microsoft will offer a more advanced version of Cortana that could also bring in more automation and awareness, using data from artificial intelligence. From the interview:

"This kind of technology, which can read and understand email, will play a central role in the next roll out of Cortana, which we are working on now for the fall time frame."

It's yet another step in Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's plan to offer Microsoft services and apps outside of the Windows ecosystem. We've already seen advances made with Office, releasing advanced versions on competitor hardware. It's believed Cortana could also prove useful in attracting consumers to Microsoft's ecosystem.