Android Leftovers

• Google Calendar update brings automatic room suggestion to Android, iOS

• Google Photos update fixes buggy dark mode on Android Q (mostly)

• Google Photos adds Express Backup and Data Caps for Android users in India

• Google Stadia announced, a game streaming service for Chrome, Android, and TVs

• Nokia 5.1 is the latest handset to get Android Pie update

• A study analyzes pre-installed software on Android devices and its privacy risks for users

Today in Techrights

• The EPO Has Sadly Taken a Side and It’s the Patent Trolls’ Side
• Where the USPTO Stands on the Subject of Abstract Software Patents
• Links 19/3/2019: Jetson/JetBot, Linux 5.0.3, Kodi Foundation Joins The Linux Foundation, and Firefox 66
• Links 18/3/2019: Solus 4, Linux 5.1 RC1, Mesa 18.3.5, OSI Individual Member Election Won by Microsoft

Debian and Ubuntu, Lies and Marketing

• Jonathan Carter: Running for DPL

  I am running for Debian Project Leader, my official platform is published on the Debian website (currently looks a bit weird, but a fix is pending publication), with a more readable version available on my website as well as a plain-text version. Shortly after I finished writing the first version of my platform page, I discovered an old talk from Ian Murdock at Microsoft Research where he said something that resonated well with me, and I think also my platform.

• Stephen Michael Kellat: Middle of March Meandering

  Eventually I intend to try Ubuntu Server installations to the three idle Raspberry Pi 3B+ boards. The ultimate goal there is for being able to offload video transcoding.

• Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter Issue 570

• Two-thirds of Android antivirus apps are worthless or worse

  Yes, you may as well change your wallpaper to say "no viruses allowed:" it'd be just as effective as the 170 antivirus products that detected fewer than 30 per cent of the 2000 malicious apps installed for testing purposes.

• Why foldable smartphones are more fad than forever devices

  I've been a part of many industries and, without fail, each industry eventually resorts to gimmicks to sell a product. In some instances, the gimmick convinces consumers that the new product and is the must-have of the industry. [...] The smartphone industry is no stranger to such snake-oil salesmanship. We've seen pop-up selfie cameras, Samsung Air View, built-in projectors, the HTC kickstand, the Amazon Fire Phone, the Ubuntu Phone, LG Modules, smart scroll, Alcatel disco lights, Blackberry Storm, Samsung edge display, KnockOn Password, HTC U11, and Pixel squeezable sides. The point being, the smartphone industry is keen on bringing to light a plethora of gimmicks to try and woo users away from their current devices.