New Snapdragon 810 & 808, Project Ara Update, and Heartbleed Fix - Android Weekly

Qualcomm has lifted the veil on two new system-on-chip (SoC) designs that will power the next generation of flagship phones. The Snapdragon 808 and Snapdragon 810 are the latest additions to Qualcomm's lineup, and they offer some exciting features.

The Snapdragon 810 is the more powerful of the two SoCs, with a unique octa-core processor that combines four Cortex A57 cores and four Cortex A53 cores. This configuration provides a significant performance boost over traditional dual-core processors, with an estimated 25-55% increase in processing power. Additionally, the Snapdragon 810's power draw is expected to be up to 20% higher than its predecessor, the Snapdragon 800. However, it's worth noting that both SoCs are built on a 20nm process node, which should help offset the increased power consumption.

For those concerned about graphics performance, the Adrenaline 418 GPU on the Snapdragon 808 is expected to provide a 20% boost over the current Adrenaline 330 GPU found in phones like the Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8. The Adrenaline 430 GPU on the Snapdragon 810 is even faster, with an estimated 80% increase in graphics performance compared to its predecessor.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 was a notable processor in the past, and it's still widely used in some devices today. However, the new Snapdragon 801-based phone, called the OnePlus One, has recently gained attention due to its impressive specifications. The OnePlus One features the latest SoC, with a clock speed of 578 MHz, which is faster than any other current SoC.

Another exciting development in the world of Android is the discovery of the "Heartbleed" vulnerability. Heartbleed is not actually a virus, but rather a vulnerability in the Open SSL encryption library that allows hackers to eavesdrop on private data transmitted over vulnerable connections. This means that users who are using services like Bitcasa or Google Drive may be at risk if they don't take immediate action.

To protect yourself from Heartbleed, it's essential to follow a few simple steps. First, check with your service provider to see if they have patched the vulnerability on their end. If they have, you can log in and change your password to ensure that any sensitive data is encrypted securely. Second, consider using a password manager like LastPass, which allows you to create one strong password and generates multiple passwords for all of your other social media profiles. Finally, it's crucial to spread the word about Heartbleed to non-geek friends and family, as they may not be aware of this vulnerability.

In related news, lynda.com has released tutorials on best practices for securing servers, including network and file system security. This is an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their online security skills.

Project Ara, a Google initiative that allows users to upgrade individual components of their phone, is also making waves in the Android community. The project has announced support for three different form factors: mini, medium, and large. This means that users will be able to upgrade specific components, such as the processor or camera, without having to replace their entire device.

The development of Project Ara's modular design promises to revolutionize the way we think about phone upgrades. With individual components available for purchase and installation, users will have more flexibility than ever before. The project's endoskeleton, a custom-designed frame that holds all of the modules in place, is also an exciting feature that allows users to easily swap out components.

In conclusion, the latest developments in Android are both exciting and thought-provoking. From the new Qualcomm SoCs to Project Ara's modular design, there's a lot to look forward to in the world of mobile technology.