Researchers deliver encoded messages and data through your smartphone compass
NFC, Bluetooth, WiFi, mobile data, plain ‘ole voice calls. Your phone has no shortage of ways to connect with things, but that hasn’t stopped a group of Finnish scientists finding a way to communicate through your smartphone’s built-in compass. Just because they could.
While NFC can send data up to 20 centimeters away, these magnetic messages diffuse within a few centimeters — this limitation could help make wireless payments more secure. Researcher Kostakos Vassilis, talking to New Scientist , said that this magnetic messaging system would mean the phone exchanges nothing until it is within two centimeters (roughly 0.8 inches) of the payment terminal. When the devices get close enough, a secure code could then be delivered through a magnetic field, activating a wireless payment app or NFC connection.
Through the data encoded through a varying magnetic field, the team at the University of Oulu in Finland were able to deliver web addresses (and even an anachronistic MIDI music file) from an electromagnet to the phone. At 40 bits per second, heavy data lifting isn’t going to happen here, but the group says it’ll outline more uses later this summer. We’re hoping it’ll involve Wooly Willy.
Filed under: Cellphones, Science, Mobile
Via: New Scientist
Source: Pulse (PDF)
South Korea makes it easier to get refunds for Android and iOS apps
If you’ve ever been burned by downloading a mobile app that you don’t want or doesn’t work, relief may be in sight… so long as you’re in South Korea, at least. The country’s Fair Trade Commission has ordered both Apple and Google to make their app refund policies more consumer-friendly. To start, Apple must make it easier to claim refunds on in-app purchases; if your kid goes wild buying in-game items, you should have an easier time getting your money back. Google, meanwhile, has to let developers set their own refund terms.
There are a handful of smaller tweaks in store. Apple will have to notify shoppers whenever it alters the App Store’s terms of service, and Google must stop apps from automatically charging you the moment a trial period ends. All the new rules are limited to South Korea for now, but Apple says it might change its terms on a global level. Google isn’t considering a similar approach at this stage, but the Fair Trade Commission is hoping that it created a “ripple effect” which leads to similar policies elsewhere. If the rules do spread worldwide, that would undoubtedly be good news — you could try paid apps without the risk of being left high and dry.
[Image credit: Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images]
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Google
Via: Korea Herald, MacRumors
Camera Paradise apparently has the OnePlus One in stock for $438.98 AUD
The OnePlus One has shown itself to be one of the best phones in 2014, thanks to great performance and great value. Unfortunately, there’s one big catch if you want one of these devices; OnePlus has elected to make the One available only through an invite system where you can only get an invite from a person who already owns a One. Coupled with OnePlus’ own struggles to get the devices out to people who actually have ordered them, you can see that this has created quite a large demand for the phone. We’ve been expecting to see the One transfer to a more traditional retail model for some time now, and that time might be near as we’ve just spotted that online retailer Camera Paradise apparently has the OnePlus One in stock and is selling it for a relatively reasonable price of $438.98 AUD.
For reference, this is the 16GB model of the OnePlus One (in white), and the equivalent 16GB Nexus 5 sells for $399 AUD. But when you consider how in demand the phone is, that’s not a bad price at all. Camera Paradise is saying that the phones will start shipping in 3 days, so if you’re hoping to get in on this opportunity, it would probably be pertinent to do so soon here. I believe Camera Paradise ships worldwide with shipping and taxes to be added on checkout or delivery.
Are you hoping to get the OnePlus One? What do you think of OnePlus’ invite-only system? Let us know your opinion.
Source: Camera Paradise
//<![CDATA[
ord = window.ord || Math.floor(Math.random()*1E16);
document.write('’);
//]]>
The post Camera Paradise apparently has the OnePlus One in stock for $438.98 AUD appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
How would you change Sony’s NEX-3N?
Sony’s NEX-C3 is the centerpiece of every Engadget kitbag thanks to its light weight and good performance What then of its 2013 replacement, the NEX-3N? We praised the low price, but the lack of a microphone input or accessory mount meant that it wasn’t going to replace its predecessor in our hearts. Thankfully, fantastic image quality saved Sony’s blushes, but what about all of the shooters out there that wound up buying one? $500 for one of these with a 16-50mm power zoom lens made it a bargain, but was it worth it? Head on down to the forum and share your feelings.
Source: Engadget Product Forums
Having trouble converting from iOS? iOS 8 Launcher HD Retina Theme will help you feel at Home
Mentioning iOS on an Android blog can often result in a messy affair, but the truth of the matter is that many people converting to Android often come from iOS. For these people, the new and free world of Android awaits them, but even the homescreen can seem a little daunting. If you are one of these people, and you’re hoping to find something a little more familiar to work with, iOS 8 Launcher HD Retina Theme may be the app you are looking for. As the name of the app suggests, installing the app will act the same way as a custom launcher and will replace your homescreen with one that replicates one that you would see on an iOS device.
This obviously isn’t an app for the Android enthusiast; it’s very low on customization features compared to something like Nova Launcher, but there are preset themes that you can choose from. I’ve briefly tried the app (sacrilege, I know), and I can’t say it’s the smoothest launcher I’ve ever tried, but it does the job and looks the part. The icons look a bit low res on my 5.5-inch screen too, and I would have liked to see the option to use custom icons. That said, customization isn’t really the point of the iOS 8 Launcher, so if this is something you would like to help you ease into the Android world, you can download the app at the links below.
Have you recently converted from iOS to Android? How are you finding it so far? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
//<![CDATA[
ord = window.ord || Math.floor(Math.random()*1E16);
document.write('’);
//]]>
The post Having trouble converting from iOS? iOS 8 Launcher HD Retina Theme will help you feel at Home appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Mercedes’ semi-autonomous truck lets its driver relax on the highway
If you’ve ever driven a highway on a major trip, you know how monotonous it can get — and it only gets worse for big rig operators, who may spend every day on those uneventful roads. Mercedes-Benz may eventually let those long-haul drivers make better use of their time, though. It just recently demonstrated Future Truck 2025, a semi-autonomous concept vehicle that takes the reins on the highway. A combination of radar and stereo cameras keep the machine on the right course once it’s up to speed, freeing the driver to check up on the family or get work done. It can optionally talk to other vehicles to anticipate upcoming construction or traffic jams, and it’s smart enough to get out of the way if an ambulance comes speeding by.
As the name implies, Mercedes doesn’t see its hardware entering production for roughly a decade. However, that’s definitely a realistic goal; some of the underlying technology is already in the 2014 S-Class sedan. Future Truck isn’t as ambitious as something like Google’s fully automated car, but it could make life much easier for transportation pros who’d rather not spend most of their day gripping a steering wheel.
Filed under: Robots, Transportation
Via: New York Times
Source: Daimler
[VIDEO] Android L has been ported to the Nexus 4
The question on many people’s lips, particular the ones who don’t own a Nexus 5 or Nexus 7, is when they will be able to try the Android L preview on their device. The question is even more pertinent for Nexus device owners who have had part of the preview uploaded to AOSP, but it may or may not be enough to go on to make complete ROMs. Still, that hasn’t stopped some geniuses out there as Android L has been ported to the Nexus 4. You can check out a video of their feat below:
As you can see, it looks to be working pretty with all the functions and apps for Android L working in this port, though there are some outstanding bugs that remain including NFC, Bluetooth, Camera and a few other niggling issues. There also appears to be an unfortunate one-off side effect of the ROM installation as the first time boot after flashing can take up to 15-20 minutes; as any flasher will know, the time taken for the first boot can seem like an eternity so make sure you stay extra patient for this one. If you’re interested in trying out the ROM, you can download it from the site below, or you can check out the original XDA forum post in the source links.
Let us know if you try out Android L on the Nexus 4, and how you find it.
Source: Galaxy Fit Update, XDA via Phone Arena
//<![CDATA[
ord = window.ord || Math.floor(Math.random()*1E16);
document.write('’);
//]]>
The post [VIDEO] Android L has been ported to the Nexus 4 appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Korean Government Orders Apple and Google to Change ‘No-Refund’ App Store Policies [iOS Blog]
Apple and Google have been ordered by South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission to revise their “no-refund” app store policies in addition to a number of other provisions, reports The Korea Herald. In response to the ruling, Apple reportedly stated that it would consider applying a revised App Store policy worldwide, with Korean officials requiring that Apple send a notice users when its terms and conditions have changed.
Following the FTC orders, the Google Play webstore will design a customer refund system based on Web developers’ refund polices. Apple’s iTunes app store will have to send a notice to users when it changes the terms in its contract.
“We expect the measure, aimed at protecting consumers, will have a ripple effect on similar cases throughout the world,” the Korea Fair Trade Commission said in a press release.
In 2011, the Taiwanese government also pressured Apple and Google to modify their app store policies, with Apple enabling a 7-day refund period. However, it was unclear at the time what changes were made by Apple in order to comply with the law, as the company may have simply addressed it by granting refunds upon request.
Under the current policy, Apple does not offer an automatic way to get refunds for apps. However, refunds have been made available on a case by case basis, as users are able to “Report a Problem” on their purchases to go through iTunes Support. In May, Apple began preventing updates and reinstallation of refunded App Store apps, which was also extended to the Mac App Store.
Foxconn Set to Deploy Robots to Help Assemble the iPhone
At a recent shareholder meeting, Foxconn CEO Terry Gou announced that the company will soon deploy robots to help assemble devices, noting that Apple will be the first company to use the service, reports IT Home (Google Translate, via GSMDome).
Named “Foxbots”, each robot will be able to assemble an average of 30,000 devices and costs anywhere from $20,000 to $25,000 to make. Gou stated that the assembly devices are undergoing their final testing phase, as Foxconn plans to deploy 10,000 robots to its factories.
Foxconn has been Apple’s longtime primary partner in assembling its iPhones, iPads, and iPods. In 2011, it was reported that Foxconn would be replacing a portion of its workers with 1 million robots, although it was not clear at the time how many jobs would be replaced by the robots.
As a part of its 2013 10-K annual report last year, Apple also revealed that it was investing a record $10.5 billion on advanced supply chain technology, with some of that investment going towards advanced machinery including assembly robots. A report earlier this year noted that Apple would be moving production of iPhone batteries to automated lines, allowing suppliers to reduce manpower demand and shift resources towards production efforts on other parts.
Foxconn has recently ramped up its production efforts ahead of the launch of Apple’s iPhone 6 this fall, with the company bringing on 100,000 new workers to help assemble the iPhone 6. Production of the new device is reportedly set to ramp up next month ahead of a launch around September. The iPhone 6 is expected to come in two sizes of 4.7-inches and 5.5-inches, and feature a thinner profile, an improved camera, a faster A8 processor, and more.
The TSA won’t let you board some flights unless your devices turn on
You know how airport security will occasionally ask you to turn on a phone or laptop to prove that it isn’t hiding explosives? Well, that’s no longer just a rare inconvenience — if you take certain flights, it’s mandatory. The TSA now requires that you power on your gadgets when flying to the US from “certain overseas airports.” If you have a dead battery, you’re out of luck. You’ll likely have to leave that hardware behind, and you might go through “additional screening” at the same time.
To no one’s surprise, the stricter approach is a direct response to short-term terrorist threats. The US is worried that al Qaeda operatives want to bomb an airliner, and the move theoretically prevents these attackers from using hollowed-out electronics to deliver their payloads. The TSA says it will “continue to adjust” procedures to balance convenience and security, so there’s a chance that these device checks will go away. Don’t count on it any time soon, however. It took years for the TSA to remove its all-too-revealing body scanners, and there’s no signs that the administration is eager to rescind its latest rules.
[Image credit: John Moore/Getty Images]
Filed under: Cellphones, Laptops, Transportation
Via: CNBC
Source: TSA
AIVAnet 