Google’s Bringing Back Google Wallet

Posted: February 21, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Google is apparently getting set to revive Google Wallet to compete with Apple Pay. 9to5google.com says they are in talks with banks, carriers, and handset makers, and plan to re-launch Wallet at Google I/O in late May. A fly in the ointment may be Samsung…which just this week acquired LoopPay to roll their own mobile payment service.

According to theverge.com, Apple will open iOS to public testing, like the beta program they reinstated on Macs with Yosemite. iOS 8.3, with support for CarPlay, new emoji, and simpler Google logins will be out in beta form the middle of next month. Apple will reportedly accept 100,000 beta testers.

Bing, the Avis of search, has added a couple features to lure more users. Thenextweb.com reports that you can now check out hotel info and reviews right from the search results. Even better, there’s a new ‘order online’ button with the restaurant listings, so you can place orders for take out through services like eat24 right from your browser.

Improved Touch ID & More Secure Apple Pay on Next iPhone

Posted: February 10, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The next generation iPhone will have an upgraded Touch ID, that will be more accurate and have a safer Apple Pay experience. Mac rumors.com cites generally reliable KGI Securities, which also says to expect the new Apple hero phone third quarter.

Speaking of Apple Pay, Jet Blue will be the first to use the system for in-flight purchases. Gigaom.com reports flight attendants will use iPad Minis with card readers, so those without Apple Pay can buy an adult beverage or meal with an old fashioned credit card.

The makers of Locket, the mobile app that brings personalized news and other stories to Android lock screens, are out with ScreenPop. Techcrunch.com says the app lets users send pictures, doodles, emoji, and more from lock screens. An iOS version is in the works.

California Grocery Stores Get Apple Pay

Posted: January 15, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple Pay continues to spread. Macrumors.com says Save Mart has rolled it out at all 217 of its California and Nevada stores, including Lucky and Foodmaxx.

Always looking for ways to disrupt the bigger phone companies, T-Mobile has announced ‘Simply Prepaid.’ Gigaom.com reports it starts at $40, and you just pay for the 4G LTE data you expect to use. If you go over, you are just cut back to 3G the rest of the month.

Google just patented a way to activate private browsing on desktops and mobile. Thenextweb.com says it can be triggered by a secure login box or request for credit information. The Chrome browser should sport it soon.

A Smartphone Maker Besides Apple Had a Banner Year

Posted: December 31, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple’s not the only smartphone maker with big increases in 2014. Reuters.com says Huawei’s smartphone sales are up 40%, and revenues by a third. They shipped 75 million smartphones in 2014.

9to5mac.com reports that iPhone 6 users are finding that cards can’t be added back into Apple Pay after a restore of the phone. So far, the only fix is for Apple to replace the phone.

A $2000 light bulb will be out in May. Developed by Dyson, of vacuum and fan fame, it lasts 40 years. Bgr.com says the LED lamp will save enough energy to be worth it in difficult to access commercial spots like airport and mall ceilings.

Samsung Continues to Move Out of High End Smartphones

Posted: December 29, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Samsung continues to regroup, and now will drop one of their best phones,  the metal Galaxy Alpha, in favor of cheaper phones. Theverge.com says poor battery life and the cost doomed the model.

Riding on the success of Apple Pay in the US, the Cupertino giant is in talks to launch the smartphone based NFC payment system in Britain in the first half of 2015. Macrumors.com reports that banks there may be an easier sell than users.

Kim Dotcom’s company Mega may be getting ready to launch a fully encrypted video call service. Thenextweb.com says the browser based service will include high speed file transfers.

Apple Pay is Growing At Warp Speed

Posted: December 16, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple Pay is making inroads in mobile payment, and fast. Gigaom.com says the NFC payment system on iPhone 6 and 6 Plus now will work with bank cards accounting for 90% of dollars spent.

On a related note, the verge.com reports that Samsung is planning to launch an Apple Pay competitor. They are said to be in talks with mobile payments startup LoopPay. Recode says the service will roll out next year.

Bgr.com says Google has released its search stats for the year, and in the gadget category, 7 out of 10 were smartphones. The iPhone 6 was most searched for, followed by the Galaxy S5 and Nexus 6.

Magnetic Accessories Don’t Agree with iPhone 6

Posted: December 15, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

9to5mac.com cautions to stay away from accessories with magnets for iPhone 6 and 6 plus. They interfere with the camera and NFC…better known as Apple Pay.

Indiegogo has launched a new service called Life, for funding life events and raising money for individuals…not charities. Engadget.com says it will be a good option to help a family in need.

Users that signed up for Skype Translator can now give it a go. Thenextweb.com says real time translation is live between English and Spanish for voice, adding to the 40 languages via instant message.

Amazon Prime Adds Free Photo Storage

Posted: November 4, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

You can never have too many backups, and now if you have Amazon Prime, you get unlimited photo storage in the cloud, according to theverge.com. Note that this will work on PCs, Android, and iOS, but not yet on Macs. Amazon says that’s coming. Keep in mind that cloud storage is great for convieninece, but do keep a local backup or 3 of your pictures.

Apple Pay has grabbed a big chunk of the pay with your phone market, even though Google Wallet was already available. Now, gigaom.com reports that Windows phone users can make payments at NFC retail terminals with the Softcard app.

HP is taking orders for a new gaming laptop to compete with Alienware models. Engadget.com says the big plus for the $1500, 15.6 inch touch screen rig is that it’s noticeably thinner than Alienware machines. It will ship this month.

LG Smartphone Sales Are Up Dramatically

Posted: October 29, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sales are flat for Samsung, but LG shipped 16.8 million smartphones in the third quarter. Techcrunch.com says that’s up 39% from a year ago. The flagship G3 did well, but was helped by sales of mid price models.

The former head of Google Wallet has launched Poynt, a so-called ‘future proof’ point of sale machine for stores. The verge.com reports it will read magnetic strip cards, chip & pin cards, NFC like Apple Pay, QR codes, and even Bluetooth Beacons.

HP has revealed more about its new 3D printing tech. Engadget.com says it uses a 4 step process to print 3D parts similarly to how an inkjet printer prints documents. HP claims products like gears could be made 10 times faster than with conventional methods.

Gmail Security Key

Posted: October 21, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Google has just launched Security Key, an open standard that allows you to log into Gmail with a USB drive or other physical device. The verge.com says you still use your password, but the key takes care of the 6 digit confirmation. Keys range from $6 to $50.

Apple Pay just launched in the US, but apparently it works overseas with some retailers already. 9to5mac.com says people in Australia found US issued cards work with the PayPass and payWave terminals there.

Verizon thinks the prepaid phone market is nearly dead. Engadget.com says the phone giant signed up 1.53 million new customers the last 90 days, and 1.52 million were on monthly plans. The days may be numbered for crooks using burner phones.

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →