The next iteration of Google’s Android operating system could see the search giant merge the different variations of Android for smartphones, tablets but also the Google TV codebase, if a report byGTVsourceis to be believed. The merging of the AOSP (Android Open Source Code) would amalgamate Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) and the Android software that powers the Google TV platform. This would make easier for Android developers to support all Android platforms with their apps but also ensuring the company can roll out updates to its software on a more regular basis....

Google is rolling out a bunch of new updates for Android users related to privacy and usability. Here’s what you’ll be getting: End-to-end encryption for RCS RCS messages are getting end-to-end encryption support on Google’s Messages app. Apps like WhatsApp and Signal use this tech to keep your conversations private, so no one can see them. Currently, this feature is available to those who have access to RCS messaging and only for one-to-one chats....

Google’s rocky relationship with the Chinese government is under further strain after it emerged that the Android’s app store, Market, is unavailable for many users in China, with others reporting lag and time-out issues accessing the site. Update below. Blocked In China, a site which tests whether URLs are accessible across five major provinces in the country,confirmsa blockage of market.android.com. This isn’t the first time that Android Market has been inaccessible in China, mumours of discontent from disgruntled phone owners unable to access the storecan be tracked as far back as 2009....

Users trying to access Google’s Android Market encountered issues on Friday, rendering the online marketplace unavailable for many across the world, with those that could access the store reporting that many apps had begun to go missing. Some users trying to visitmarket.android.comencountered a “We’re sorry, there was an error. Please try again later.” message: Android smartphone ownerstook to Twitterto voice their concern, some mentioning that as a result, they were unable to access certain apps on the Market directly from their smartphones, suggesting that they had either been pulled or had gone missing....

It has been a gripe of ours since the release of the Android Market, but there has never been a way to browse apps reliably on the Internet. Now,there is. Purchasing and installing is seamless. You’ll see the Permissions screen, an option to select the device of your choice and then you can install direction from the Web Store to your Android device. Since your phone is connected, there is no need to plug your phone into your computer to download the application....