The Hamilton Spectator

: The stories that matter to Hamilton. Redesigned, personalized, and faster.

Metroland Media Group Ltd. · com.spreedinc.providers.metrolandmedia.spec

Not rated yet 10K+ downloads v9.77.0 121.2 MB Android 7.0+ PEGI 12 · Low Maturity

Download APK 121.2 MB All versions

Signature matches the Google Play version Details

At a glance

Latest version: v9.77.0 (2029819241)
Updated: Sep 30, 2026 (8 days ago)
APK size: 121.2 MB
Requires: Android 7.0+ (API 24)
CPU support: x86 32-bit, x86 64-bit, ARM 32-bit, ARM 64-bit
Graphics: OpenGL ES 2.0+
Category: News & Magazines (app)
Listed since: Feb 6, 2023 (at least)
Permissions: 41 (2 sensitive)
Website: thespec.com
Developer contact: [email protected]
Privacy: Developer's privacy policy

About this APK

The Hamilton Spectator is an app by Metroland Media Group Ltd. in the News & Magazines category, listed since at least February 2023. It includes native code for x86 32-bit, x86 64-bit, ARM 32-bit and ARM 64-bit, so it runs on practically every phone.

Since version 9.32.0, the APK grew from 50 MB to 121.2 MB and the minimum Android version rose from 5.0 to 7.0. It asks for 41 permissions, 2 of them sensitive: read shared storage and modify shared storage. It asks for the same permissions as version 9.76.0. The app offers in-app purchases through Google Play and can read the advertising ID that ad and analytics services use.

What's new in v9.77.0

General improvements

Description

From the listing uploaded by “appupdater”.

Stay connected to the best local journalism with The Hamilton Spectator app. We’ve redesigned the app to be more than just a newsfeed—it’s an intuitive experience built for your life in Hamilton. From City Hall accountability and the latest scores to the arts and culture shifts in our neighborhoods, get the news that shapes our community. Features Built for Life in Hamilton: • Smart Tiles: Jump back into stories with "Resume Reading" or see what’s "Trending Now". • Custom Newsfeed: "Made for You" uses your reading habits to serve the topics you care about most—from local politics to Hamilton’s food scene. • Newsletters: Sign up for newsletters within the app to get curated briefings delivered to your inbox. • Breaking News Alerts: Immediate notifications on the stories shaping Ontario and the world. • Instant Access: Your saved stories are now organized in one streamlined hub. Questions or feedback? Contact us at [email protected] SEE BELOW FOR IMPORTANT NOTICES By installing and using the App, you agree to our Privacy and Anti-Spam Notice (available at https://www.thespec.com/about/mobile-app-privacy-anti-spam-notice.html), our Privacy Policy (available at https://metroland.com/privacy-policy/) and our Terms of Use (available at http://notices.torstar.com/main_terms_of_use_daily_and_community_brands_EN/), each of which is accessible with the App's settings menu. This App (including any updates or upgrades) may (i) automatically communicate with The Hamilton Spectator's or its third party service providers' servers and record usage and browsing pattern metrics, (ii) manage App-related preferences or data stored on your device, and (iii) collect personal information, all as more particularly set out in our Privacy and Anti-Spam Notice and our Privacy Policy. You may withdraw your consent to the above at any time by removing or disabling the App. The Spec mobile application, an application offered by Metroland Media Group Ltd., 8 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8 For assistance, please contact us at [email protected].

Version history

5 versions are listed, going back to v9.32.0. Since v9.75.0 it requires Android 7.0+.

v9.77.0 LATEST Sep 30, 2026 121.2 MB TRUSTED v9.76.0 Sep 13, 2026 121.2 MB TRUSTED v9.75.0 Aug 11, 2026 121 MB TRUSTED v9.48.0 Jul 3, 2025 97.5 MB TRUSTED v9.32.0 Nov 26, 2024 50 MB TRUSTED

All 5 versions

Security & authenticity

Security rating: Trusted

Signing certificate

Signature matches the Google Play version Checked by the source store on Sep 30, 2026.
Certificate issued to “Spreed Inc” This is the certificate of the Google Play version.
Same certificate as the 3 other versions checked

Store checks and file details

Developer signature verified Sep 30, 2026
Validated against Google Play Sep 30, 2026
Signed byCN=Spreed Inc, OU=Spreed Inc, O=Spreed Inc, L=Toronto, ST=ON, C=CA
Signing certificate (SHA-1)D0:DA:72:6F:CB:4F:BB:DF:E3:78:94:07:DB:41:AD:4D:9D:27:B9:BE
File MD5e1d110462ba9834620649f8a0deee8d3
Uploaded by “appupdater” Gold tier · 117,810 followers · uploading since 2020

Scans and ratings come from the source store; the certificate comparisons are AAPKs's own, made from the files' published signatures (3 other versions compared). AAPKs doesn't scan files itself — compare the MD5 and signer after downloading.

Permissions (41)

The Hamilton Spectator requests 41 permissions, 2 of them sensitive.

Modify shared storage Sensitive android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
Read shared storage Sensitive android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
Access adservices ad id android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_AD_ID
Access adservices attribution android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_ATTRIBUTION
Access adservices custom audience android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_CUSTOM_AUDIENCE
Access adservices topics android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_TOPICS
Advertising ID com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID
Badge read (custom) com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.READ
Badge write (custom) com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.WRITE
Badger badge count read (custom) me.everything.badger.permission.BADGE_COUNT_READ
Badger badge count write (custom) me.everything.badger.permission.BADGE_COUNT_WRITE
Commondata get common data (custom) com.huawei.appmarket.service.commondata.permission.GET_COMMON_DATA
Control vibration android.permission.VIBRATE
Foreground service media playback android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MEDIA_PLAYBACK
Full network access android.permission.INTERNET
Google Play install referrer com.google.android.finsky.permission.BIND_GET_INSTALL_REFERRER_SERVICE
Home broadcast badge (custom) com.sonyericsson.home.permission.BROADCAST_BADGE
Home provider insert badge (custom) com.sonymobile.home.permission.PROVIDER_INSERT_BADGE
In-app purchases (Google Play Billing) com.android.vending.BILLING
Internal broadcast protection (app-defined) com.spreedinc.providers.metrolandmedia.spec.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION
Launcher change badge (custom) com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.CHANGE_BADGE
Launcher read settings (custom) com.htc.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS
Launcher read settings (custom) com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS
Launcher read settings (custom) com.oppo.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS
Launcher update badge (custom) com.majeur.launcher.permission.UPDATE_BADGE
Launcher update count (custom) com.anddoes.launcher.permission.UPDATE_COUNT
Launcher update shortcut (custom) com.htc.launcher.permission.UPDATE_SHORTCUT
Launcher write settings (custom) com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS
Launcher write settings (custom) com.oppo.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS
Mapsagent read app info (custom) com.samsung.android.mapsagent.permission.READ_APP_INFO
Prevent the device from sleeping android.permission.WAKE_LOCK
Push messaging (app-defined) com.spreedinc.providers.metrolandmedia.spec.permission.C2D_MESSAGE
Read Google service settings com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES
Read app badge android.permission.READ_APP_BADGE
Receive push notifications com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE
Run at startup android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED
Run foreground services android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE
Show notifications android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS
Use credentials android.permission.USE_CREDENTIALS
View Wi-Fi connections android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE
View network connections android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE

Required hardware & features

Basic touch input android.hardware.faketouch
Wi-Fi android.hardware.wifi

The Hamilton Spectator APK: questions and answers

Is there a version of The Hamilton Spectator for older Android phones?

The current version needs Android 7.0 or later. Version 9.48.0 is the newest listed build that installs on Android 6.0 and later. Get version 9.48.0 · All versions

Can I install this APK over the version I already have?

Yes, if your installed copy is older. It is signed like the Google Play version, so Android installs it as an update and keeps your data.

Is The Hamilton Spectator free?

The APK is free to download, but the app offers in-app purchases through Google Play.

Is The Hamilton Spectator APK safe?

No one can promise that a file is safe, but some things can be checked. The source store rates this file Trusted. Its signature matches the Google Play version. It is signed with the same certificate as the 3 other versions checked. After downloading, check that the file's MD5 is e1d110462ba9834620649f8a0deee8d3.