Tech Roundup: Apple Car, Gooligan Malware & More

Is Google testing a 
new AMP format?

Is it too early to deem Google Allo a misfire? For a company that has figured out so much mining our data, I cannot help but be surprised at how utterly clueless Google is when it comes to social and messaging. After shuttering Google Talk and Buzz in favour of Hangouts, the latter is now being relegated for enterprise chat in favour of Allo, a new messaging service it introduced months back. This in addition to its rollout of rich communication services (RCS) in SMS (in Messenger) that replicates some, if not all, instant messaging capabilities like group chat, file sharing etc. Sure Allo has Google Assistant baked in, but the big question is who will use a service that's tied to one device. It just becomes one more app that you will have to convince your friends and family to install. And it's not worth the effort.

In other news:

• India unveils the world's largest solar power plant in Tamil Nadu; has a capacity of 648 MW and covers an area of 10 sq km.
• More than 1 million Google accounts compromised by Android malware called Gooligan; malware affects devices running Android 4 (Jelly Bean, KitKat) and 5 (Lollipop) upon installing suspicious apps from third-party app stores that gain root privileges to steal user account authentication details.
• Paris, Madrid, Athens, and Mexico City to ban diesel vehicles by 2025 in a bid to improve air quality.
• First indication of Apple's interest in autonomous cars uncovered in a letter to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); says in order "to maximize the safety benefits of automated vehicles, encourage innovation, and promote fair competition, established manufacturers and new entrants should be treated equally."
• Amazon plans tougher action against retailers selling counterfeit products.
• Facebook-owned Instagram clones more Snapchat features; lets you know when someone takes a screenshot of your disappearing photos and videos.
• Online retailer Amazon planning premium Alexa speaker device with seven-inch screen, reports Bloomberg.
• CNN acquires video-sharing startup Beme, a social media app launched last year by popular YouTube star Casey Neistat; app to shut down on January 31 next year.
• Ride sharing startup Uber begins deactivating New York drivers for advertising its rivals.
• Facebook brings Instant games to Messenger and News Feed; allows users to play games in Messenger conversations.
• Microsoft releases Clip Layer for Android; a clipboard app that allows users to perform universal copy paste across all apps.
• Jolla's Sailfish OS is certified as Russian government's first Android alternative.
• Video streaming service Netflix adds offline playback on Android and iOS.
• Apple acknowledges iPhone 6s shutdowns; says it's due to manufacturing issue resulting in faster battery degradation.
• Uber tracks customers from when they request a ride until five minutes after the ride has ended for purposes of rider safety.
• Fitness wearable maker Fitbit planning to acquire fellow rival Pebble, The Information reports.
• Apple to reportedly use drones at the same time add new indoor navigation features to improve Apple Maps.
• Nokia planning to announce new phones running Android early next year.
• Lenovo-owned Motorola postpones next generation Android Wear smartwatch release citing weaker market demand.
• Google's branding flipflop continues; rebrands Google On to Google Wifi post release of new  Google Wifi routers.