Android's New Security Trick, and Everything You Missed This Weekend

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Android gets more secure (kind of), Google builds an Ebola tablet, and OnePlus goes gaming, maybe. This is all the news and rumors you missed over the weekend, and it's all on BitStream.

Passcodes and lock screens are a necessary pain in the ass, especially if you don't want to suffer the terrible fate of a lost phone and vulnerable data. All those private selfies! But that doesn't mean companies aren't constantly searching for ways to make passwords more intelligent. Google's latest attempt is called "on-body detection."

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Spotted by Android Police over the weekend, Android is pushing out a feature, requiring Lollipop and updated version of Google Play services, that taps into your smartphone's accelerometer to know if the phone is in your pocket, bag, or purse, and will remain unlocked as long as its remains moving. Yes, that "wait a minute" instinct is correct. If your bag or phone were to be stolen or purloined by a nosy friend while in transit, on-body detection can't actually detect if it's your body so it will remain unlocked. Is this the most secure way to Fort Knox your phone? Nah. But it is one of the most convenient. Hopefully it can persuade a least some of the lockscreen phobic out there to consider a little extra security. [Android Police]

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SpaceX follows in NASA's footsteps and puts all its space-y images in the public domain—because advertising the excitement of space travel is more important than copyright law. [Re/code]

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Delphi's self-driving car started a 3,500-mile journey across the U.S. this weekend. So far, no accidents have been reported. [ABC News]

Apps and Devices

Spotify's freemium model is being attacked by music labels. With Apple's upcoming service reportedly not offering a free option at all, streaming services may be changing and soon. [Rolling Stone]

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Google has built a tablet specifically designed to help health workers in Africa battle the Ebola epidemic. It's encased in polycarbonate, can be dunked in chlorine, and also helps save lives. [Wired]

Apple Pay still has a long way to go for mainstream acceptance as 85 percent of users haven't even tried it yet. [VentureBeat]

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Rumors!

The FAA may be easing up on the requirements needed for commercial drone exceptions. Hopefully drone business will soon be booming sooner rather than later. [Reuters]

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OnePlus has a busy spring ahead. Many are waiting for the new OxygenOS or even an update to the One. But the Chinese phone company may have gaming on the mind, too. [OnePlus]

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This father/daughter duo recreated Jurassic Park with $100,000 of Lego and simultaneously made my childhood seem like an absolute waste of time.

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