iPhone 8 May Get Iris Scanner; Samsung GearS3 Smartwatch Gets LTE Cell Connection

Posted: September 1, 2016 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

iphone-iris-scanner

According to macrumors.com, citing a Chinese source, Apple will give the 10th anniversary iPhone iris scanning. It’s not clear if this would add an additional layer of security, or replace Touch ID. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 just rolled out with an iris scanner a few weeks ago. Some sources think it will be additional deeper security, as it takes at least as long to line up the eyes with the scanner as it does for Touch ID to read your fingerprints. This is also the approach Samsung has taken.

Speaking of Samsung, they announced the Gear S3 smartwatch yesterday. It’s something of a monster watch at 46mm, but does have optional LTE cellular ability. Arstechinca.com reports Samsung is sticking with their Tizen operating system. The biggest Apple watch is 42mm. Samsung promises 3-4 days per charge, and the watch can use your current cell phone number on most systems, and whether your cell phone is Android or iOS. they also continue with a smaller, more svelte model with no cellular. Pricing is yet to be announced.

Updated MacBooks Reveal This Month; Facebook Testing Out Twitter-Like Posts

Posted: June 9, 2016 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

It may not happen at the World Wide Developers Conference, but Apple will announce updated MacBooks this month, according to macrumors.com. A report from Mac Otakara cites a reliable supplier, and supports the earlier stories that Apple will drop he 11 inch MacBook Air, but continue with a slimmer 13 inch and a new 15 inch model. All the MacBooks will have Thunderbolt3/USB-C ports, and will drop USB-A, MagSafe, and Thunderbolt 2 ports. This rumor has them all out in August, although most other reports point to later in the year. The Pros will be thinner and lighter, have Touch ID, and the OLED touch bar we’ve reported previously.

Facebook is experimenting with a new type of post that is more like a Tweet. According to theverge.com, it is only visible in the News Feed, and doesn’t appear in your Timeline. Because these won’t show on the Timeline, and will be pushed down quickly on the newsfeed, the thinking is they might be used for quick or lighthearted updates. The selection is done by the individual post…with a ‘Hide from your Timeline’ option when you hit the post button. Right now, the feature is only showing up for some users, so may or may not be rolled out to everyone. Facebook is also working on a ‘notify a few friends’ feature you could use instead of tagging.

Google Might Replace Some Passwords With Trust Score; New Thinner MacBook by Late This Year

Posted: May 24, 2016 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

With all the announcements at Google I/O last week, this one didn’t get much glory, but could actually end up being pretty huge. According to theverge.com, Google is working to replace passwords with ‘trust scores’ that pull from user-specific data points, including current location, facial recognition, and typing patterns to detect if they’re really that person. A banking app would require a higher score than a social media app, for example. The Trust API has been in the world at least a year, and will rollout to several ‘very large’ financial institutions in the next few weeks. If all goes well, it will be opened up to all Android developers by the end of the year.

Apple will roll out a big revamp of the Macbook Pro by 4th quarter this year, according to KGI Securities and other sources. 9to5mac.com reports that it will be thinner and lighter, have Touch ID support, and a new OLED touch bar above the keyboard that will replace function keys. Apple will also put out a 13 inch MacBook similar to the 12 inch Retina MacBook, giving them 3 levels of laptops…the MacBook Air will stay the entry level, and the Pro the top tier.

Facebook Killing Medical Pot Pages; Apple Patents Way to Share Touch ID

Posted: February 4, 2016 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Facebook is deleting pages for medical marijuana dispensaries in New Jersey and other states where they’re legal. Businessinsider.com says a dispensary got a popup on login that said ‘We remove any promotion or encouragement of drug use.’ On Facebook’s ad policy page, it does day the site also won’t allow ads that ‘promote the sale of prescription pharmaceuticals.’ Ironic that this story is out on Facebook’s 12th birthday, when they’re offering up cheery ‘Friends Day’ videos to users.

According to 9to5mac.com, Apple has a patent for additional functionality for the Touch ID home button…allowing different actions for different fingerprints. The patent application is mind numbingly technical, but looks like a way to give temporary access to an iPhone or iPad with only specific apps available….useful for letting kids use your device. The function would also limit the time the guest could use the iPhone or iPad. No word on when, or if, Apple will actually bake this feature in.

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.

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