Tristan Rayner / Android Authority Your tech news digest, by way of the DGiT Daily tech newsletter, for Friday, 7 August 2020 1. Finally: The new Sony WH-1000XM4 headphonesTristan Rayner / Android Authority Oh hey the new Sony WH-1000XM4 are out! We’ve been seeing some clues that the already excellent Sony WH-1000XM3 were being upgraded, and the new XM4s build on what was already very good. The (legendary?) XM3s have been at the top of high-end active noise canceling (ANC) recommendation lists forever.

TL;DR The Razer mask concept we saw at CES 2021 — known as Project Hazel — will become a real product. Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan told Yahoo Finance the product is moving out of the concept stage and into reality. Unfortunately, we don’t know when it would be available nor how much it would cost. At CES 2021, Razer showed off a bunch of new products you can buy, including its newest Blade laptops.

David Imel / Android Authority TL;DR Apple CEO Tim Cook said side-loading iOS apps would “destroy the security” of iPhones. The Apple CEO also claimed that Android has 47 times more malware than iOS. We’re not so sure this figure is accurate though. One of the best things about Android compared to iOS is the greater level of control users are given, with side-loading of apps being one of the biggest benefits.

Ever since Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) hit the web, there’s been no shortage of it. Almost every Android phone’s got an ICS-based ROM in the works, and among the lucky ones to regularly receive custom ROMs is the popular HTC Sensation. Today Endo-Sense 4.0, based on Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich and built from the bits and pieces of a leaked RUU firmware, has joined the fray. Developed by XDA Developers member xXkingsromXx, this ROM contains features like XDA, a tune-in radio, System Tuner, and parts that reportedly help performance tremendously.

If you’ve been waiting for YouTube‘s subscription service, Music Key, to launch, your wait is almost over. The company plans on rolling out the first round of beta invites this coming Monday (11/17), along with a 6-month free trial and promotional pricing. Before we get into the details, YouTube has long been rumored to release a streaming service, offering ad-free videos, downloadable audio, concert recordings, and exclusive band content. The service will have access to Google Play Music‘s whole library, and will also offer offline playback on audio and video.

What is Zombie Madness II? Zombie Madness II is a slide and tap shooting game where you mow down hoards of zombies with an ever increasing array of weapons and grenades. It sports modest, but decent graphics, a free (with no in app purchases) price tag, and pretty decent ratings so far. Here is how it works. Your base has a wall along with a bunker. You can upgrade your bunker, your wall, and add up to four other bunkers to aid in your fight against the zombie hoard.

Astrid has been acquired by Yahoo!, the startup announced, but there are some good Astrid alternatives out there that you can use on your Android device. The announcement that Astrid, one of the most popular to-do apps for Android, has been bought by Yahoo! was posted recently on the company’s blog. All signs point to the service shutting down soon and the app becoming part of another Yahoo! service or app (the same happened to Summly, which provides news summaries for the Yahoo!

One of the best things about Android is the ability to install apps from anywhere, allowing you to side-step the Play Store if you want to. Now, one prominent third-party app store has launched a campaign against Google, saying the Mountain View company is hampering consumer freedom. On its Google Play Fair website, Aptoide wrote: “Since summer 2018, Google Play Protect flags Aptoide as a harmful app, hiding it in users’ Android devices and requesting them to uninstall it.

Update, February 24: Following the start in Cambodia, Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow is rolling out to the Note 5 in South Korea. So far, local carriers LG U Plus and SK Telecom are rolling out the OTA, with the other major operators to follow soon. We’ll keep you posted with details regarding the update for other markets. Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates roundup News So far the update has only been spotted in Cambodia, but should be heading to other regions over-the-air as we speak.

Bolls is a turn-based Android strategy game that not only involves fighting off your opponent’s own Bolls but also gathering resources for them. That isn’t a typo you’re looking at. Bolls are the eponymous creatures of this online multiplayer strategy game. These creatures are circles with faces, mouths, and occasionally, hands, fangs, wings, or gills. The aim of the game is to pit these cute creatures against your enemy’s own army of Bolls.