RC29, RC30 G1 Android updates get explained
We'd already gotten a general idea about what Google's RC29 and RC30 Android updates for the G1 did, but if you're curious about all the little details, you'll no doubt be pleased to know that the Google Android Security Team has now finally come out and explained the updates themselves. As we had heard, the RC29 update fixed a vulnerability that could potentially let malicious sites take over your browser, but it apparently also fixed two other software bugs, including a universal cross-site scripting problem that could also give someone control of the browser, and an exploit that let folks bypass Android's locking mechanism by booting the phone into safe mode. As for RC30, it apparently not only fixed that little root access issue, but two other bugs related to WebKit, which could, again, let someone take over your browser, and access to the G1's memory to, for instance, read stored cookies and gain online privileges. Google has also clarified that it intends to wait until all users have access to updates before it discloses the full details about them, so it looks like this cycle of confusion is going to be a regular occurrence for G1 owners.[Via Talk Android]












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Student Driver @ Nov 13th 2008 2:03PM
"...so it looks like this cycle of confusion is going to be a regular occurrence for G1."
Replace "Google" with "Apple," and more people will understand. :-)
Sameer Surampalli @ Nov 13th 2008 8:29PM
Too bad there's no "Google" in that sentence..
Louis @ Nov 14th 2008 7:28PM
I don't know about RC29/30 but in the UK, I got upgraded to TC5-RC8 (from RC7) and I have noticed two new features:
1. A long press of the Home button now acts as a task switcher - like Alt+Tab on Windows. It is possible that this was always there as a feature and I just missed it, but I doubt it because someone thought it necessary to develop a task switcher app, which I had installed and found very useful until now. The native Android one works better and I don't have to use the camera button like I did with that3rd party app.
2. This one is a definitely a new feature but less interesting. When you connect by USB to a computer, you now get a sound notification and a little usb icon also appears in the top left corner of the screen.