Find out the week’s top mobile stories from around the world. This week.. Apple under pressure to close loopholes in new privacy rules, Security flaws found in Samsung’s stock mobile apps, Mobile wallet use growing worldwide, reveals data report and much more…
Apple under pressure to close loopholes in new privacy rules
FT
Apple has come under pressure to tighten its new privacy rules ahead of its annual developers’ conference on Monday, after experts warned that thousands of apps were continuing to collect data from users who had opted out of tracking. The new rules, which came into effect in April as part of the iPhone’s iOS 14.5 software update, force apps to get consent from users to track their behaviour in order to target them with advertising.
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Security flaws found in Samsung’s stock mobile apps
Tech Crunch
A mobile security startup has found seven security flaws in Samsung’s pre-installed mobile apps, which it says if abused could have allowed attackers broad access to a victim’s personal data.
Oversecured said the vulnerabilities were found in several apps and components bundled with Samsung phones and tablets. Oversecured founder Sergey Toshin told TechCrunch that the vulnerabilities were verified on a Samsung Galaxy S10+ but that all Samsung devices could be potentially affected because the baked-in apps are responsible for system functionality.
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Mobile wallet use growing worldwide, reveals data report
Retail Customer Expereience
Digital or mobile wallet payment was the most popular POS payment approach globally in 2020, grabbing 21.5% of transaction payment market share in 2020.
The boom was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and consumer fear of paper banknotes related to possible virus transmission, according to data released by TradingPlatforms.com.
By 2024 mobile wallet use will make up a third of all POS transactions worldwide, according to a blog post on the data findings.
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Facebook developing smartwatch with AR control
Facebook is developing a smartwatch that will act as a controller for its forthcoming augmented-reality projects. Reports claimed the device was due for release in mid-2022 and would feature multiple cameras. But a senior Facebook executive said the smartwatch was in only its early stages – and may never be released to the public. “We’re investing in technologies across the board… research doesn’t always lead to product development,” he said.
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75% of mobile gaming pandemic boost will persist – Report
Gamesindustry.biz
A new report from market intelligence firm IDC and advertising platform LoopMe says the pair expect that 75% of the consumer playtime spike experienced by mobile games during the pandemic will remain after COVID-19 subsides.
The report was based on a survey of over 3,800 consumers in the US, the UK, Japan, Germany, Brazil and Singapore who were asked how they think their playtime will be affected after the pandemic is over.
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European IoT spend tipped to hit $200B in 2021
Mobile World Live
IDC predicted IoT spending in Europe would hit $202 billion this year, driven by a boost in the consumer sector especially in the field of home automation offerings.
The research company forecast growth in the market would continue despite the impact of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, albeit it at a slower rate than previous years. Offerings allowing consumers to “enhance the living experience” by remotely monitoring and control devices and systems in their homes are expected to be the most profitable in the IoT industry.
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Google tightens Android policies, shrinking already-limited mobile ad tracking
Marketing Dive
Google’s tracking change is the tech giant’s latest effort to provide a more privacy-forward experience for its users. Although Android has long allowed users to opt out of personalized ads, unique Advertising IDs have still provided app developers a way to track device usage, which is valuable information for advertisers who deploy ads on those apps.
As part of a Google Play services update later this year, however, these IDs will be eliminated when a user opts out of personalization. The tracking change comes as Google, among other tech companies, are prioritizing digital privacy amid a shift in consumers’ desire to protect their personal data.
Could 5G mobile gaming really replace game consoles? We’re not certain
Tech Radar
Mobile gaming has come a long way in the last few years, with a number of popular PC and console franchises releasing versions that preserve most of the experience in a small screen. And with more money spent on smartphone and tablet games than traditional platforms year over year, mobile gaming is ascendant. But will it outright replace gaming consoles in the long run?
Final Fantasy 16 producer Naoki Yoshida believes that 5G will empower mobile gaming enough to “herald the long-term demise” of game consoles, he said in an interview with Financial Times.
