Microsoft snaps up another hot app. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

Microsoft is acquiring SwiftKey, London-based makers of the popular virtual keyboard for Android and iOS, in a deal rumored to be worth $250 million.

SwiftKey insists it will continue to develop its keyboard for both platforms going forward — and it will remain free.

Google could make its own iPhone rivals. Photo: Google

Google’s flagship Nexus 6P delivered significant design improvements last year, putting its hardware on par with the best devices from rival manufacturers. But Google wants the Nexus lineup to be even more like the iPhone.

To make that happen, the company will reduce its reliance on third-party manufacturing partners like Huawei and LG and assume greater control over Nexus hardware, according to one report.

Material Design is coming. Photo: Google

Android’s Material Design spec is coming to your desktop. With an upcoming Chrome update, Google will introduce a brand new look that will be immediately familiar to those who regularly use the company’s mobile apps — and we can’t wait.

YouTube’s new ‘watch later’ option. Screenshot: Android Police/Paul Kolanjian

Google’s latest YouTube update for Android finally gives users the ability to quickly add videos to their “watch later” list with just one tap. The option ensures you don’t forget the latest videos from your favorite channels when you don’t have time to watch them right away.

Google pays out cold cash to security researchers who hack its systems, then report the problems. Photo: tookapic/Pixabay CC

Google paid out more than $2 million in bounties to security researchers last year in an effort to keep its applications and services safe from hackers.

The payments came via the company’s Vulnerability Reward Program, which gives researchers a financial incentive to locate security holes in Google’s software, then report them to the company rather than exploit them.