Google Will Launch Android O After The Total Solar Eclipse On Aug. 21: Rumors Say It's Android Oreo

Google announced that it will launch Android O on Aug. 21, and rumors claim that the next major version of the mobile operating system will indeed be named Android Oreo.

Android O will be unveiled right after the total solar eclipse, a phenomenon that will sweep across the entire country for the first time since 1918.

Android O To Launch Aug. 21
Google created a webpage dedicated to the upcoming total solar eclipse, which includes important information on the phenomenon, such as its expected time and ways to watch it for users outside the United States. Google also revealed details about the Eclipse Megamovie Project, which will gather videos from more than 1,000 volunteers across the United States to create a movie of a continuous view of the total solar eclipse.

The main news on the Android Eclipse page, however, is the announcement that Google will officially reveal Android O at 2:40 p.m. ET. The total solar eclipse is expected to end at 2:37 p.m. ET, and Google will jump into the trail left behind by the phenomenon to unveil the next major version of Android.

The Aug. 21 Android O release date partially confirms a report from last week, wherein Android Police managing editor David Ruddock and prolific leaker Evan Blass both claimed that the operating system will be rolled out on that day. The partial confirmation is because it is unclear if Google will also be rolling out Android O after its official unveiling.

The report also claimed that the official name of Android O will be revealed on Aug. 21.

Android O Name: Android Oreo?
Android Oreo has long been theorized as the official name of Android O, as Google names the major versions of the mobile operating system after sweets. Tying up with a brand for the name is not unprecedented, as Google already did it before with Android KitKat.

Two new clues have increased the likelihood that Android O will indeed be named Android Oreo. The first hint comes from Blass, who simply tweeted "Happy Eclipse" alongside a picture of an Oreo cookie. The connection is easy to make, considering the planned Android O launch after the total solar eclipse.

The second clue is much more definitive, and comes from Google itself. Google uploaded a video on Google+, and its filename was "GoogleOreo_Teaser_0817_noDroids (1).mp4". While this is not complete confirmation of the Android Oreo name, the fact that the post containing the video was taken down and replaced with a video named "Octopus Teaser.mp4" means that uploading the first one was a mistake, and spoiled the operating system's name.

How To Watch The Total Solar Eclipse
Google's Android Eclipse page contains a link to the NASA livestream of the total solar eclipse, though users can also watch the phenomemon on Twitter, in partnership with The Weather Channel.

For those who will be watching the total solar eclipse not on their computer monitors but outside, you will need to exercise proper safety precautions, including making sure the eclipse glasses you purchased will really protect you.

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New Android Malware Simulates Shutdown and Mines Your Data

If you have an Android phone and have purchased third-party apps from outside of the more well-known app stores, you may have put your device at risk from an ingenious new malware that makes it look like you’ve shut off your phone, but instead has only simulated the shutdown with identical shut off animations.

Once the screen goes black and you forget about it, the malware kicks in and roots around through your device, accessing your data. Even scarier, the malware can use your phone to make outgoing calls, take pictures, and utilize a host of other features.

This malware, called the PowerOffHijack, was first spotted by AVG, who explained how it worked on their blog post. Their team believes it originated in China and is spreading via apps that originated within the country, estimating that as many as 10,000 devices have already been infected.

There are a couple of ways to know if you’re safe, even if you don’t have a clear way to know if your phone is infected. If you’re running a version of Android that’s at least v.5, you should be all right; at the same time, if your phone has not been modified (jailbroken) to allow different forms of functionality, then you’re probably okay, too.

The only issue is some retailers sell their phones with this level of functionality already in place, so you may not be aware of the potential danger. Finally, if you’ve only downloaded apps from the Google Play store, you’re probably safe as well since that app store is not available in China.

For now, there’s no patch to combat the PowerOffHijack’s capabilities. Experts are currently recommending users physically remove their batteries when they power off their phones, at least until a patch can be made available.

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