Why is WhatsApp not working on your phone? Because it's too old
Welcoming the new year with a trumpet of doom, WhatsApp is bringing misery to many users. If you're using old versions of iOS, Android or -- heaven forbid -- Windows Phone 7, Facebook's popular messaging tool no longer works.
There is a brief stay of execution for anyone still packing a BlackBerry, but as of June 30 these will also be cut off. WhatsApp says that "BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, Nokia S40 and Nokia Symbian S60" will stop working by the middle of the year, but it is the hundreds of thousands of Android and iOS users that will be hardest hit.
Update side-loaded Android apps with APKUpdater
When you install apps from Google Play, you'll be notified whenever an update is available. If you have opted to side-load apps from other sources, however, this update notification is not available, leaving you having to keep manually checking for new versions.
This is, of course, a massive pain in the derriere, and far too much like hard work. Install APKUpdater, and your side-loaded apps will be kept up to date just like those from more official sources. Here's what you need to know.
So you want to edit tweets? Jack Dorsey says the option is 'definitely needed'
Unlike Facebook, Twitter lacks the option to edit what you have posted in order to correct typos or other mistakes. It's something that has been the subject of complaints and discussion for years now, and Jack Dorsey is finally starting to listen.
Writing -- on Twitter, funnily enough -- just before New Year, Dorsey said that an edit function is "def needed. But for everyone, not just those w badges". At the moment it is not known whether the feature is due to arrive, but it's clearly something that Twitter is considering. Dorsey makes it clear that he understands the pros and cons of making tweets editable.
This website knows what you have torrented, and you can use it to spy on people
It's no secret that despite being billed as a great way to download large Linux distros and copyright free software, BitTorrent is primarily used to download the latest Star Wars movie, episodes of The Grand Tour, and illicit copies of Photoshop.
A new website -- unsophisticatedly named 'I Know What You Download' -- does exactly what you might expect: it exposes the torrents you have downloaded. More than this, it can be used to check what has been downloaded by any IP address, and there is even an option to trick people you know into letting you spy on what they are torrenting.
Samsung kicks off 2017 with new photo-centric Galaxy A7, Galaxy A5, and Galaxy A3 handsets
We are less than 48 hours into 2017, and Samsung is already on the ball with a series of new smartphone announcements. Kicking things off for the new year is the updated Galaxy A series -- comprising the Galaxy A7, Galaxy A5, and Galaxy A3.
Available in Black Sky, Gold Sand, Blue Mist and Peach Cloud, the handsets feature 5.7-, 5.2- and 4.7-inch screens respectively. The main focus of the product line refresh is the enhanced camera, but Samsung also highlights the metal frame and 3D glass back which it says draws on the company's "premium design heritage".
Pre-register to download Super Mario Run for Android!
The popularity of Super Mario Run for iOS may be starting to wane slightly, but there is great anticipation for the arrival of Nintendo's Italian plumber on Android. Well, the wait is nearly over -- Nintendo has added Super Mario Run to Google Play!
Malware producers were quick to jump on the popularity of the Mario game on iOS, pushing fake, malware-filled versions into the Play Store. In a move that will not only help to prevent people falling victim to such scams, but also serves to indicate the imminent arrival of the official game, eager Mario fans can now pre-register to download Super Mario Run for Android.
Nevada website leaks details of thousands seeking to sell medical marijuana
A website run by the Nevada state government has been pulled offline after it was discovered a vulnerability was leaking personal details of thousands of people applying to sell medical marijuana.
Nevada's Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that the personal details -- including addresses and social security numbers -- of more than 11,000 applicants were accessible by simply typing in the correct URL.
Lenovo's 2017 ThinkPads feature Kaby Lake, Precision Touchpads and Windows 10 Signature Edition
Today Lenovo revealed its updated range of ThinkPad devices, showing that there is a lot to look forward to in 2017. All are kitted out with Kaby Lake CPUs, and some of the models feature Optane 3D drives.
This is not a minor line-up refresh -- there are a lot of devices included: ThinkPad X270, ThinkPad Yoga 370, ThinkPad T470, ThinkPad T470s, ThinkPad T470p, ThinkPad T570, ThinkPad 13, ThinkPad L470, ThinkPad L570, and ThinkPad X270. All models include Precision TouchPads, and a move to Windows 10 Signature Edition means there's no need to worry about bloat.
Download the third beta of Android Nougat for OnePlus 3 now!
The OnePlus 3T may be the replacement for the (slightly) earlier OnePlus 3, but this certainly does not mean that the original has been forgotten. Having already released preview version of Android 7.0 for the flagship killer, OnePlus has now launched its third beta of Nougat for the handset.
Going by the name of OxygenOS Open Beta 10, the release incorporates many of the feedback suggestions made in response to the previous beta. Headline changes include improved battery life and faster performance.
Facebook promotes fake news by activating Safety Check based on false reports of Bangkok bomb
The problem of fake news on Facebook has been highly publicized recently, and while the social network says it is doing what it can to tackle the issue, it seems the company is actually adding fuel to the fire.
Based on false reports of an explosion in Bangkok, Thailand, Facebook's Safety Check feature was activated. This in turn helped to give the initial story authenticity, helping with the spread of fake news. Safety Check has itself proved to be a controversial feature, and combined with flakey news algorithms, it resulted in a perfect storm.
Bigger than Mirai: Leet Botnet delivers 650 Gbps DDoS attack with 'pulverized system files'
Earlier in the year, a huge DDoS attack was launched on Krebs on Security. Analysis showed that the attack pelted servers with 620 Gbps, and there were fears that the release of the Mirai source code used to launch the assault would lead to a rise in large-scale DDoS attacks. Welcome Leet Botnet.
In the run-up to Christmas, security firm Imperva managed to fend off a 650 Gbps DDoS attack. But this was nothing to do with Mirai; it is a completely new form of malware, but is described as "just as powerful as the most dangerous one to date". The concern for 2017 is that "it's about to get a lot worse".
Leaked Windows 10 Creators Update Build 14997 reveals new features
Earlier in December, Microsoft warned Insiders that there would be no more new builds released this side of the New Year. Of course, this does not mean that a new build did not exist, and now build 14997 has leaked online.
Coming from the internal development branch (rs_onecoe_base, specifically), it's possible that build 14997 will never be officially released, but the leak does give a tantalizing glimpse of what we can expect. On the menu in this build of Windows 10 Creators Update is an updated version of Microsoft Edge, an improved OOBE and important tweaks to the Start menu.
If Santa brought you a drone for Christmas, read this or you could face a massive fine
Drones have become incredibly common in the last couple of years, and they have proved to be popular Christmas presents. But new drone owners are being warned that they are probably blissfully ignorant of the responsibilities of their new toys -- and this ignorance could prove costly.
There are very strict laws in place governing where, and how, drones can be flown. Failure to comply with these rules could lead to time in prison or an "unlimited fine" -- for people in the UK, at least. So what do you need to know before you take your drone for its maiden flight?
Open source CyanogenMod is shutting down... but forked Lineage will rise from its ashes
For Android hackers and tweakers, CyanogenMod represents mobile OS nirvana -- an open source alternative to Google's official Android, complete with frequent updates. The bad news for fans is that Cyanogen, the company behind the operating system, is closing down operations: with virtually no warning.
Coming at a time of year when few people are paying much attention to what is going on in the world of tech, the announcement that nightly builds will be discontinued by the end of the year comes after staff layoffs earlier in the year, and premature rumors that the company was shutting up shop. While the news is, on the face of it, not great for CyanogenMod fans and OnePlus owners (whose handsets run the operating system), the cloud does have a silver lining.
What did people ask Quora about in 2016? Trump, Brexit and Pokémon for starters
We've already learned what people have been using Google to search for in 2016, and now it's the turn of Quora. The Q&A site has just published details of what its users have been asking throughout 2016, and while there are some obvious entries, there are also a few surprises.
Quora's "Year in Questions" stats show that Brexit ("how does Brexit affect Europe?") and the US election ("How did Donald Trump win the 2016 US Presidential Election?") were both subjects that "captivated" the US. While topics such as Pokémon had hotspots of popularity through the year, Donald Trump sparked the most discussion. Interestingly, people also turned to Quora for relationship advice.
Sofia Elizabella's Bio
Sofia Wyciślik-Wilson is a queer, transgender journalist based in Poland. She has been writing about technology for more than two decades, and after years working for magazines, her writing moved online. She is fueled by literature, music, nature, and vegetables. You can find her on Bluesky and Mastodon. If you like what you read, you can Buy her a Coffee!
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