Google to launch two Nexus smartphones this year

Every year Google recruits a partner to help it create its next Nexus devices -- so far, we've seen products from HTC, Samsung, LG, Motorola and Asus.

The latest in the smartphone range was made by Motorola and turned out to be the Nexus 6.

A new report found on the Chinese social networking website Weibo has suggested Google will be partnering with a Chinese manufacturer for one of two Nexus devices it has planned for this year.

The source suggests there will be a high-end Nexus 7 model produced by LG while the lower-spec Nexus 7 will be created by an unnamed Chinese manufacturer.

That source did reveal the manufacturer will either go for its own SoC inside the new Nexus or a Qualcomm version.
Huawei, a Chinese manufacturer, has its own Hisilcon Kirin processor line-up that has featured in many of the companies handsets and could handle the job inside the next Nexus. It is the only Chinese company we know of that has its own processor range suggesting it is the manufacturer the source is suggesting.

At the moment this is all speculation, but if the information from the Weibo source proves to be good, it's likely the Nexus 7 will be created by Huawei before the end of the year.

The Nexus 6 launched in October 2014 so we have quite a long wait to find out about the Nexus 7.

Of course, Google also has a tablet named the Nexus 7 so it's likely we'll see a different name for the product when it is ready to launch.

You can now trim YouTube videos on Android

 The Youtube app on Android devices has been updated with a new feature that now allows users to trim videos before uploading it to the web.

According to the Verge, the update is rolling out currently but it might not be live for all users as yet.

The new feature lets users set the beginning and end points of the video with control points on the timelines when they start uploading.

The app requires users to shoot the video in the 'portrait' format.

New vulnerability reveals WhatsApp privacy is 'broken'

The tool can track any change of profile pictures, privacy settings or statuses in WhatsApp.

Another major vulnerability in popular messaging application WhatsApp has been revealed. The latest vulnerability has been disclosed by Maikel Zweerink, who previously developed a web tool called Whatsspy that can track move of any WhatsApp user.

In a detailed blog titled WhatsApp privacy is broken, Maikel Zweerink reveals WhatsSpy Public - a web-oriented application that can track every move of whoever you like to follow. He claims the app is setup as an “Proof of Concept that Whatsapp is broken” in terms of privacy.

According to Maikel Zweerink, the app can track online and offline status of a user even though privacy options are set to nobody, as well as profile pictures, privacy settings and status messages. The tool features a simple GUI to view a timeline of user and can campare it with other tracked user. Click here to learn more about the tool.

“The privacy options in Whatsapp act like they give you full control over your status in Whatsapp meanwhile they only affect a very limited scope. Sure, the lastseen, profile picture and status options do work, but probably not as the user intented it to. The ability for an complete stranger to follow your in-app status is pretty creepy and might be abused already. This is not an "hack" or "exploit" but it's broken by design,” adds Maikel Zweerink.

The latest vulnerability comes days after a security bug in WhatsApp revealed private pictures to strangers. The bug allows people to see the profile photos of strangers, even after they have added the security settings for friends only. The web app also allows users to see photos that they would have deleted, while on the phone app, those photos get blurred out.

Example of what WhatsSpy public can reveal about you:

Google Apps Referral Program launched in India

By joining the Google Apps Referral Program, you can earn $7.50 for every user who signs up based on your recommendation.

Google has launched a new Google Apps Referral Program in India. The referral program makes it easy to share Google Apps with your network and show them how they too can use these tools at work. You can earn $7.50 for each new user who signs up to Google apps such as Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Drive based on your recommendation.

Google Apps Referral Program

The Google Apps Referral Program is currently available for anyone based in India.

“When we discover something amazing – whether it’s a new local coffee shop or a tool that improves the way we work – we want to share it with people we know so they can also benefit. Many of the millions of Google Apps customers around the world learned about tools like Hangouts, Drive and Gmail for business from their customers, friends and networks,” says Google in a release.

Google had launched the initiative in the US and Canada last year. The referral program allowed a $15 bonus for each new user that signs up.

To sign up, you need to enter your name and email address, and a bank account to receive direct deposits. For referral, you receive a unique referral link after registering for the program. Start with email and website templates that Google provides. You get rewarded when customers sign up using your unique referral link.

The fine print says:

• You can refer an unlimited number of customers.
• You’re rewarded for each referral customer’s first 100 users. A user is an individual account belonging to the customer domain.
• Your referral amount will be based on the number of users who have paid for at least 120 days.