END OF AN ERA FOR MICROSOFT AS GOOGLE MERCILESSLY TAKES OVER

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It’s the end of an era: Android has overtaken Windows as the world’s most popular operating system, marginally edging out Microsoft’s software.The margin is small and mainly down to the dominance of Android in Asia, according to the latest figures from web analytics company StatCounter. However, it does indicate a shift in the market that could mean difficulties for Microsoft.

StatCounter said Android internet usage showed a 37.93 per cent share across desktop, laptop, tablet and mobile, just ahead of Windows at 37.94 per cent.However, in Ireland, Windows remains top of the operating systems, although its share has fallen from 44 per cent a year ago to 36.3 per cent in march 2017. Android has climbed to 28 per cent from 22.5 per cent over the same period, while Apple’s iOS comes in third with 26 per cent, up from 22 per cent a year ago.

Asian market

The growth of smartphones and the decline of the PC are two factors credited with the change, but the impact of the Asian market is also a major factor. Android has a 52.2 per cent share of the market there, compared with Windows on 29.2 per cent. That compares with North America and Europe, where Windows remains the top operating system by a sizable margin.This is a milestone in technology history and the end of an era. It marks the end of Microsoft’s leadership worldwide of the OS market which it has held since the 1980s. It also represents a major breakthrough for Android which held just 2.4 per cent of global internet usage share only five years ago.

In the desktop PC and laptop market, Windows still dominates, with an 84 per cent share.Windows won the desktop war but the battlefield moved on said Cullen. It will be difficult for Microsoft to make inroads in mobile but the next paradigm shift might give it the opportunity to regain dominance.StatCounter bases its data on more than 15 billion page views per month to more than 2.5 million websites.

Sources:
http://gs.statcounter.com/press/android-overtakes-windows-for-first-time

Millions May Have Picked Up Malware at Google Play Store

As many as 40 million Android users might have downloaded apps that were infected with the FalseGuide malware, security research firm Check Point warned on Monday.

The oldest of the infected apps could have been uploaded to Google Play as long ago as last November, having successfully remained hidden for five months, while the newest may have been uploaded as recently as the beginning of this month. The malware has infected nearly 50 guide apps for popular games

The makers of the FalseGuide malware likely wanted it to masquerade as game guides, which are popular and actually build on the monetary success of their related apps. They require very little development time and are limited in feature implementations. 

Google so far has responded in the only way it can , by removing the infected apps from Google Play. However, given that some of these guides date back to early November, it appears that the company clearly failed to protect its customers.

At this point there may be little users can do except reset their devices and be more cautious of what they download. However, those steps might not be enough to purge the malware.

Another  malware named ‘Judy’ was found in over 41 Google Play Store apps. By far, ‘Judy’ has already infected around 8.5 Million to 36.5 Million Google Play Store users.

Security Research firm ‘Check Point’ discovered the Judy malware first and informed Google of the same. Though Google has started removing the infected apps from the Play store, the malware affected apps have already reached a count of more than 4.5 Million downloads.

So what exactly is ‘Judy’ malware, and how does it work?  

The idea with Judy malware is to create false clicks on ads, and thus boost revenue of these companies. Essentially the Judy malware bypassed Google Play Store’s protection, and the hackers created a “seemingly benign bridgehead app, meant to establish connection to the victim’s device, and insert it into the app store.”

 Judy Malware is believed to have been created by a South Korean firm named Kiniwini. Essentially an ‘auto-clicking adware’, the malware is aimed at making money for the developers by auto-clicking on ads through the infected devices. The Malware spread comes as a direct threat to Google’s reputation as the malware has been able to operate on its Google Play Store undetected, for more than a year.

IF YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT TRANSFERRING/BACKING UP ALL YOUR APPS AND DATA TO YOUR NEW PHONE/ANOTHER PHONE,DON'T FRET,

No one wants to spend forever moving all their stuff to a new phone. Here's a quick and painless guide to get you up and running fast:

Moving to a new phone can be a pain. For all the ways that Android outperforms iOS at tight integration with cloud services, Google still has some ways to go when it comes to getting all your stuff off of your old phone and onto the new one.
However, with the right Google tools, third-party apps, and perseverance, you should be able to squash most of the misery that usually comes with prepping for a new device.

First things first: make sure you’re signed in to your Android phone with your Google account.
Head to the Settings and then find Backup and reset (the categorization will vary by device).
Make sure Back up my data and Automatic restore are both flipped on and that your Google account is linked. The former ensures that your application data, Wi-Fi passwords, and various phone settings are sent to Google servers. They’ll be at the ready for you when you sign in to a new phone. This way you won’t have to re-enter passwords to networks you’ve already saved. Yes, that means Google probably has all the world’s Wi-Fi passwords.Some device makers, like Samsung,
offer their own backup solutions.
If you have a Samsung device, you can also use the Back up my data option to your Samsung account. This will save your text messages, phone logs, contacts, or email accounts that you’ve used with Samsung’s apps.

Get your music ready
You don’t want to start from scratch with music. It’s easiest if you use a streaming service: Just install Spotify, Amazon Music, Groove, or another favorite.
Yet even if Google Play Music isn’t your streaming service of choice, it’s the best way to transfer music to your new phone.
This is done best through your computer. Play Music will save up to 50,000 songs in your own personal music locker. You can play them them on any device where you sign in to the app. It’s like iTunes without the bloat.
In the browser, go to the settings and then upload your music to the desktop version of Google Play Music.

Photos:Keep those sweet memories safe
The other key piece to look at right now is Google Photos Backup. This will send all your images and videos into the safe arms of Google Photos . You’re granted unlimited storage, as long as you can put up with a little compression. Otherwise any content will count against your Google Drive storage, which includes 15GB to starI still feel the strongest option is to keep your critical data in a Google account as the primary home for your email, photos, and contacts. Microsoft, Dropbox, and other services work great as standalone Android apps, but given that it’s Google’s operating system, going Google will always have its own perks.

Transfer SMS and MMS messages
Moving over text messages is usually the wonkiest and most inconsistent part of this process. My main advice is this: use an over-the-top service . With Facebook Messenger or Hangouts all you have to do is sign in and voilà! All your messages are right there. Same goes with WhatsApp, which just launched backup with Google Drive .
If you’re dead-set on moving your SMS and MMS messages, a favorite solution of mine is SMS Backup & Restore . It takes some patience to work through the options. Also, the design is more suited to Android Jelly Bean, but it gets the job done. The app will offload your messages to a microSD card (if your phone has one). Otherwise, export them to a PC and then use the app to restore them on your new phone by using Android’s ability to connect to a PC .

Apps can be easily backed up using ESFILE EXPLORER from play store for android users and App store for iphone users

Some software to ease the move
Some phones may offer more of a helping hand when it comes to moving over your stuff. Samsung offers its own app called Smart Switch , which promises to move your messages, contacts, photos, and more over to a new Galaxy phone.
I still feel the strongest option is to keep your critical data in a Google account as the primary home for your email, photos, and contacts. Microsoft, Dropbox, and other services work great as standalone Android apps, but given that it’s Google’s operating system, going Google will always have its own perks.