Author: BWild

Google Play Developer Program gets a policy and rules overhaul

| March 4, 2016

The tech giant has now rolled out a brand new appearance and feel for its program, which is meant to simplify it.

A new look and feel for the Google Play Developer Program Policy Center has now been rolled out in order to make it easier for app developers to be able to locate, view and understand its guidelines.

This was done as a part of an overhaul of the service in order to make the experience more appealing.

It included everything from the navigation to a makeover of the visual side of the Google Play Developer Program to include its “Material Design” for the organization of the program’s policies and guidelines by way of various large themes, such as “Privacy and Security” and “Restricted Content.” In that way, they are hoping to reduce or eliminate any potential confusion with regards to what is and is not permissible or recommended within the program.

That said, the rules have also been updated for Google Play developers, and more information is provided about them.

Google Play StoreThe information about all the rules has been expanded, as has data with regards to the way the policies for mobile app developers are enforced. This is meant to make violation resolution faster and easier. The information not only provides detailed guidelines of the most common violations, but it also includes visual examples that will clarify things even further.

While Google’s mobile app restrictions aren’t as limiting as Apple’s in terms of the types of applications that are permitted on the digital marketplace, its oversight has been increasing over the last few years. Last year, an internal mobile app review team was introduced quite subtly by the company. The members of that team are responsible for scanning through apps in order to be able to spot violations of the program’s policies.

There are also automatic scans run through Google Play apps in order to help to spot malware and other forms of more obvious content violates, such as applications that include sexual content, or that use copyrighted material without adequate documentation that grants the necessary permission to use it.

BlackBerry boosts mobile security investment with Encription acquisition

| March 1, 2016

The turnaround strategy for the struggling Canadian handset maker is now aiming toward cyber-protection.

BlackBerry has tried virtually everything to try to recover its floundering handset business, but the area in which it has remained strong – and where its future may lie – is in mobile security.

The company has underscored that belief in the recent acquisition of Encription, a company based in the U.K.

Encription is a consultancy that is based in cyber and mobile security. The importance of digital security has been increasing in virtually every industry around the world, particularly in the growth in of the Internet of Things (IoT). As the dependence on connected technology increases, so does the demand for security software and related consultancy services. BlackBerry has always been strong in this area and will likely be playing to that strength in order to recover from its suffering hardware business as it recreates itself.

The details regarding the acquisition of the cyber and mobile security firm have yet to be released.

Mobile Security - BlackberryThat said, by acquiring this company, BlackBerry will gain access to a large new customer base, in addition to the talent of about 40 professionals in the cyber security industry. These experts have already assisted in testing network vulnerabilities for a wealth of large corporations as well as government agencies.

The head of corporate development at BlackBerry, James Mackey, explained that acquiring Encription was a natural decision for the company and will seamlessly extend BlackBerry to allow it to offer a broader range of cyber security services than it ever has. Moreover, as it solidifies its customer base with the newest additions, it will now become possible for the Canadian tech company to cross-sell its own software products.

Protecting device users against mobile security threats, as well as the creation and implementation of strategies to mitigate those threats and the enhancement of vital IT security standards are some of the areas in which BlackBerry has held considerable appeal among consumers and business customers, alike. Many industry analysts have been predicting this path for the company for well over a year, as the hardware side of the company continues a downward stumble.