Easy step guide to installing dual boot on your Samsung Galaxy S IV GT-I9500 Samsung Google Nexus 10 Manta Sony Xperia Z Yuga Sony Xperia ZL Odin

Everybody would like to have a dual booting system on their smart phones.  Right now you get a lot of custom ROM which you can install on your smart phones but the problem is that you lose the stock ROM in the process.  Dual booting is a process which lets you use two ROMs on your devices and lets you run the one you fancy at any given moment.  This way you are using the custom ROM as well as the stock ROM so you can get official updates also.  Isn't that good news.  Team MoDaCo is working on a similar kind of procedure which is called MoDaCo Switch.  

However a XDA Forum member Garak has successfully created a mod that allows you to dual boot ROMs on the Samsung Galaxy S IV without having to make backups or wipe your devices. Just remember, the main ROM has to be the stock TouchWiz ROM which Samsung provides but the second one can be any ROM that is based on the AOSP (Android Open Source Project) which has nearly 100s of ROMS for the taking.

Garak has warned that the Mod is experimental and only seasoned modders may use it.  If you are sure about it than you can go right ahead but be aware of this warning 

It's only for advanced users and I am not responsible if your S4 get bricked or transform into a monster and eat up your cat

- CyanogenMod

First thing you have to remember is that your first ROM will be the Samsung stock TouchWiz ROM and the second one will be of your choice.  This Mod switches between two kernels, TouchWiz can use any kernel but for ASOP you have to use Garaks modified CM Kernel.  The GraSwitcher App will download the all needed files for you. They will be in /sdcard/romswitcher.  The default kernel for TouchWiz is Perseus Kernel but if you want to change it to something else replace first.img in /sdcard/romswitcher/ with your favourite kernel.

Now download your favourite AOSP ROM and extract it.  Open META-INF/com/google/android/updater-script and look for this line

Replace mmcblk0p20 with mmcblk0p19 as in image below

Now find this lines and delete them both

After doing the above go here and download Gapps.  Extract it and open updater-script and locate the following code

And replace it with

After replacing the above code ZIP your ROM first and then ZIP Gapps.  After zipping them both Flash both of them in recovery MOD (first ROM then Gapps).  Do not repeat do not wipe out anything.  

Reboot your phone and if you did all correct. You should boot into your TouchWiz ROM.  Now download and install Garak's APK from here.  Once you have installed it open GraSwitcher and follow the instructions and you can see this screen

Thats it, now you have a dual booting system on your smart phone. If you face any problems you can post your query on this thread of the XDA Forums

Supported Devices
Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9500
Samsung Google Nexus 10 Manta
Sony Xperia Z Yuga
Sony Xperia ZL Odin

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All devices running on Android 4.3 and below vulnerable to serious code execution flaw in 'Keystore'

Most probably if you not using a top flagship Android smart phone or tablet for a top company like Google Motorola, Samsung, HTC or LG then you are using a smart phone with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean version running aboard.  And if you are using the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean or earlier version run smart phone or tablet, you, or rather your smart phone/tablet is vulnerable to a serious code-execution vulnerability. This vulnerability was discovered by the Application Security Team of IBM, nine months ago.   This vulnerability has been patched in the latest Android version from Google, the 4.4 KitKat version but Android 4.3 and older Android versions remain highly vulnerable.

 As per the latest data available, only 13.6 % of total Android users have Kitkat on their smart phone or tablet.  The total distribution of of Android community is divided as follows according to Android Developers site is as follows

Version	Codename	API	Distribution
2.2	Froyo	8	0.8%
2.3.3 - 2.3.7	Gingerbread	10	14.9%
4.0.3 - 4.0.4	Ice Cream Sandwich	15	12.3%
4.1.x	Jelly Bean	16	29.0%
4.2.x		17	19.1%
4.3		18	10.3%
4.4	KitKat	19	13.6%

From this data it can be inferred that 86.4 percent of the total Android smart phones and tablets users are at risk from this vulnerability.  The vulnerability discovered by Application Security team at IBM confirmed the presence of a critical code-execution vulnerability that affects all devices using the versions 4.3 and earlier and lets an attacker/potential hacker exploit it to steal sensitive data from the vulnerable devices. 

The IBM security researchers discovered that the stack buffer overflow vulnerability resides in the Android’s KeyStore storage service, which is responsible for storing and securing device’s cryptographic keys.

“A stack buffer is created by the ‘KeyStore::getKeyForName’ method” “This function has several callers, which are accessible by external applications using the Binder interface (e.g., ‘android::KeyStoreProxy::get’). Therefore, the ‘keyName’ variable can be controllable with an arbitrary size by a malicious application,” Hay said. “The ‘encode_key’ routine that is called by ‘encode_key_for_uid’ can overflow the ‘filename’ buffer, since bounds checking is absent.” explained the experts 

Anybody with knowledge of Android API programming can successfully exploit this vulnerability.  Once exploited the hacker can execute a  malicious code  under the keystore process. Once executed, such code can lead to serious leaking of the device’s lock credentials. Since the master key is derived by the lock credentials, whenever the device is unlocked, ‘Android::KeyStoreProxy::password’ is called with the credentials.

It can also leak decrypted master keys, data and hardware-backed key identifiers from the memory and  encrypted master keys, data and hardware-backed key identifiers from the disk for an offline attack. The hackers can also remotely interact with the hardware-backed storage and perform crypto operations (e.g., arbitrary data signing) on behalf of the user.

An potential wannabe hacker can theoretically exploit the above vulnerability that exists in all the Android devices prior to the Android 4.4 Kitkat but experts believe that exploit is pretty hard to execute  due to the presence of numerous difficulties likes the need to to bypass memory-based protections native to the operating system, including Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR). The Data Execution Prevention is an exploit mitigation that is used to prevent execution of malicious code, but the attackers have had success to bypass it using the Return Oriented Programming (ROP) attacks. The ASLR is used to mitigate buffer overflow attacks randomizing the memory locations used by system files and other programs, implementing this technique it is hard to guess the location of a given process.

“However, the Android KeyStore is respawned every time it terminates. This behaviour enables a probabilistic approach; moreover, the attacker may even theoretically abuse ASLR to defeat the encoding” states the post.

The experts confirmed that they haven’t seen the flaw being exploited in the wild yet.  The Google is currently upgrading the Android devices to the Android KitKat 4.4.4 with build number KTU84P (branch kitkat.-mr21-release), the new update was mainly issued to fix the CCS Injection Vulnerability (CVE-2014-0224). You can read about it here.  Sadly only Nexus range of devices and Motorola devices would be giving out upgrades as of now.  Other manufacturers have been pretty slow with the upgrades with Samsung releasing 4.4 upgrade for its flagships only last week across US and Indian subcontinent.

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samsung launches its latest premiums Alpha A3 and Alpha A5 Android smartphones

Samsung launches Alpha A3 and Alpha A5 Android smartphones

Samsung recently announced the launch of two new premium devices, the Alpha A3 and A5 joining the Alpha device already on sale globally. With reports flying everywhere about a decline in profits, pressure has been mounting on Samsung to deliver. Have they ? Let's review the handsets

Hardware

The devices join a range which already includes a 4.7 inch device, so these devices aim at different size ranges. The A3 supports a 4.5 inch screen and the A7 a 5 inch one. The A3 has a qHD resolution while the A5 goes 720p HD. Both the devices have a quad-core 1.2 GHz processors chugging at their hearts paired with 1GB and 2GB of RAM respectively.

Design

Design is the most important aspect of the Alpha range, with both the devices coming with a unibody design made completely of metal. The look is similar to the one made the norm after the S3 but with much sharper looks. The aluminium build proves that Samsung is ready to venture into other areas than sticking to plastic body phones. Although, with the recent bendgate scandal of the iPhone 6, many people were seen lauding plastic build of Samsung phones which have never had that problem.

Camera

The Alpha range is being targeted at the youth and have duly well defined front cameras for selfies. Both come with a 5MP front camera offering. A3 supports 8MP on the back while the A5 goes bigger with 13MP. Needless to say, both devices are loaded with features by Samsung.

Storage And Battery

The other major difference, in comparison to the original Alpha device, is that they seem to have the expandable storage option, which is really needed by one and all. Both devices have 16 GB of in built storage and are expandable upto 64 BG There's a 1900 mAh and 2300 mAh battery booted up the on the A3 and A5, respectively.


So are these the devices that will get the Samsung its mojo back? We'll let the users decide.

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Blockchain Releases New Android Wallet App To make bitcoin available for every Android user

Bitcoins have been a game changer for some, mystery for others and simply profits for hoarders.  Bitcoin wallets are a way to keep your Bitcoins safe in your account.  By intending to make the bitcoins more popular and more easier for users to handle, the popular bitcoin wallet provider Blockchain.info has released a new version of its Bitcoin Wallet App for Android devices.  The new App promises to allow you to store, receive and send bitcoins directly from your Android phone. Blockchain says that the App has been developed thinking of making bitcoin more accessible to users. This App hides the complexity of the protocol in order to encourage adoption of bitcoins by common Android users.

“Our Android app has to do with making bitcoin so easy to use that people don’t even have to think about addresses for example,” co-founder and CEO Nicolas Cary told TechCrunch “That stuff exists in bitcoin, but just like there are complicated things happening in email, they are hidden.” “When you explain why bitcoin is valuable, 99 percent of people understand that it’s useful. But it gets a little intimidating when they actually start using bitcoin”

Keeping is simple is the Blockchain.info's USP for this App.   If you want to send bitcoins to someone, you can just browse your address book and tap on someone’s name. After that, there are two possibilities. If this person is already a bitcoin user with an associated bitcoin address, it will simply send the bitcoins. If it’s someone new, it will send an email with a redemption code so that they can get their bitcoins.

The App also provides a  map view of with merchants who accept bitcoins so the users can find out the sellers and buyers of Bitcoins at a touch of a button. “It’s a world’s first,” Cary said. “We verified every single one of these merchants and we’re bringing new ones every week.”

The App will also help you understand how to manage your bitcoins. It will tell you to set a very strong password and two-factor authentication, it will suggests backup solutions, and it will show you tutorial videos.

“When you explain why bitcoin is valuable, 99 percent of people understand that it’s useful. But it gets a little intimidating when they actually start using bitcoin,” Cary said.

If you are into bitcoins then this is a must have App for your Android device.  If you are not into bitcoins, you may download it to learn about the worlds most famous cryptocurrency.  You can download the App from Google Play here.

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Microsoft Releases Windows 10 Technical Preview Build 10049 with New Spartan Browser

Windows 10 Technical preview Build 10049 Released with new fixes,  better performance and project Spartan browser available for Download

Microsoft engineers have been working overtime to improve the windows 10 experience. Today with the release of Windows 10 Build 10049 it has once again improved the existing windows 10 technical preview version with faster performance and many bug fixes from its previous build 10041.
Microsoft has also integrated project Spartan with this new build. In this preview, Microsoft said

“You will see a bold new design for Project Spartan – one that is streamlined and puts the focus on the page, not the browser. This is part of our vision for a browser that doesn’t visually interfere with your life on the Web, but supports it. You will also see some of the features that we demo’ed back in January and we hope you’ll love them.”

Issues that are fixed in this new build:

• The issue from Build 10041 for when the Photos app on your PC crashes when you tap on the circular icon at the top left to view the photo you just took has been fixed now.
• You no longer will have issues where windows open on your desktop are accidentally visible behind the Start Screen, Task View, Snap Assist, and when rearranging windows in Tablet Mode.
• No longer getting stuck when you manually lock your PC (Windows Key + L) during the initial out-of-box experience.

Some issues which users will continue to face in this build:

• After logging in, you may see a blue screen instead of your desktop. To work around this issue, lock your PC (with the hardware button or by pressing the Windows Key + L) and try logging in again.
• You can also try Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
• Indexing of new email in Outlook is not working, so search results will be limited to when the last index was built.
• If you have Virtual Machines hosted in Hyper-V on your PC running Windows 10, you will want to move to the Slow ring and wait for the next build as this build breaks the ability to run VMs.
• There are 2 issues using Visual Studio 2015 preview on this build:The emulators will not boot and you won’t be able to deploy a Windows Universal app to the Mobile emulator.
• The XAML designer in VS and Blend will crash when opened.If you are a developer using these tools today to develop Windows Universal apps and need this functionality to work – Microsoft recommends switching to the Slow ring until they release a patch to fix these issues.

Download Windows 10 Technical Preview ISO from here
Note: Windows 10 Technical Preview Build 10049 is in its beta program. You will have to signup and agree to Windows Insider Program before downloading.

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Microsoft’s Spartan browser now available on Windows 10 build 10049

Microsoft releases Windows 10 Build with its Project Spartan Browser

After almost 2 months since the announcement of a brand new browser called Spartan, Microsoft finally included the new browser bundle with the latest Windows 10 build 10049.
The latest Windows 10 build includes a preview version of the new browser. This means that the browser will be a stripped down version. Microsoft said that the browser was an internal testing version and it may contain bugs and issues.
The all new Spartan browser will give users the following features :

• Cortana is built-in and ready to assist: Cortana in Project Spartan is a personal assistant that helps make Web browsing easier for you, with whatever you’re trying to get done. Cortana offers help at just the right moment, based on what she knows about the Web, about you and what you might be trying to do. She remains in the background but provides additional information when you need it, making browsing easier and more efficient. Cortana in Spartan will be available in the US versions of this build, and available more broadly later.
• Inking and sharing so you can capture and communicate your thoughts: Everyone uses the Web routinely to share questions, thoughts, info and comments with friends and colleagues. Now with new inking capabilities, Project Spartan enables you to write or type directly on the page, comment on what’s interesting or clip what you want – then easily share this “Web Note” via mail, or a social network. Researching and collecting information from the Web is just as easy, as you can save your notes directly to OneNote.
• Distraction-free reading with Reading List and Reading View: Keeping up with information overload on the Web is one of the challenges that we all have to manage. Project Spartan helps with a beautiful new Reading List to collect everything you want to read, including the ability to save any webpage or PDF for convenient access later, and an integrated, distraction-free Reading View that keeps you focused on the content.
  A new engine for the modern Web: Project Spartan’s new rendering engine is built around the idea that the Web “just works,” while being fast, more secure and more reliable.

If you have signed up for Windows 10 Technical Preview and the fast update option, you can get the Build 10049 with the Spartan browser right away.
Microsoft has promised that Spartan will be updated at regular intervals to bring users latest features.

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Cheaper 4 inch iPhone 6c coming soon?

Leaked iPhone images suggest a cheaper 4 inch iPhone 6c! it is going to happen?

Leaked images by Future Supplier suggest Apple is planning to release a 4 inch version of iPhone 6. The leaked images point towards the fact that Apple may be making an attempt to woo budget buyers with a iPhone 5c type of model for iPhone 6.
Though the leaks dont reveal much of whats going to be inside the 4 inch iPhone 6, the images give a fair idea of what the iPhone 6c will look like on the outside.

From this image it is clear that the new iPhone, if it does come will be very much similar to the iPhone 5c. One of the noticeable features is the camera housing given in the image above.

The second noticeable change is at the bottom. The ‘iPhone 6C’ shows a pair of matching six hole speaker grills whereas the iPhone 5C had just a single side of four speaker holes and a couple of holes on the other side for the phone’s dual mics.

Forbes points out that unless Apple has a similar plan to launch iPhone 6s in coming months, the whole idea of iPhone 6c looks flawed. Given that there were thousands of leaks about iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus before its release which were in no way nearer to the original product, it looks like the Future Suppliers leaks may just be a concept smartphone which was leaked.

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Finally WhatsApp calling feature is here in latest Google Play Store version

Finally WhatsApp calling feature is here in latest Google Play Store version

WhatsApp’s latest version for Android now allows all users to make voice calls, (no invite needed) WhatsApp calling for iOS coming soon

After lots of flip flops, beta releases and updates the WhatsApp voice Calling is finally here. You can enable and make voice calls without the WhatsApp Invite, through Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) if you have installed the latest WhatsApp version number 2.12.5 through Google Play store.
Sadly the version of WhatsApp on Google Play varies from device to device so you will have to check up your version number by going to Help > About and continuously upgrading it to the latest version.
You can also download the APK file from from WhatsApp’s website and sideload it onto your Android smartphone. Do remember to enable the Allow Installation from Unknown Sources option in Settings > Security if you want to install the APK directly. The version on the site reportedly brings voice calling too.
To place a call, tap the Calls tab and then the new call button at the top of your screen. Then, select a contact to call your near and dear ones over WhatsApp. Do remember to tell them to download the latest version from Google Play.
As we reported two days back, iPhone and Windows Phone users will also be getting WhatsApp calling feature in about two weeks time

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