‘Plastc’ Smart Payment Card Aims to Replace Card-Stuffed Wallets [iOS Blog]
With Apple Pay’s launch likely just days or perhaps weeks away, “card tech” startup Plastc today announced its plans for its new digital wallet, replacing credit cards, debit cards, RFID access cards, gift cards and more. On paper, Plastc promises to go above and beyond competitor Coin, offering an expanded set of features that are better optimized for today’s new wireless mobile payment future.
The Plastc card allows users to store up to 20 cards or barcodes on its internal flash memory and ships with a companion iOS Wallet app that lets users manage the card. Plastc looks like a standard 0.8-millimeter-thick credit card, but it features an eInk touchscreen display for selecting stored content, Bluetooth to connect to an iPhone, rewritable RFID, and support for payment technologies such as magnetic stripes, NFC, and EMV chip and PIN. It also includes wireless induction charging and a remote wipe feature that lets users erase the card in case of theft or loss.
Though its feature set is impressive, Plastc will be competing with the upcoming Apple Pay, which is scheduled to launch this month with broad industry support. Apple has worked on Apple Pay with all three major credit card companies, several major banks, and a variety of retail partners such as Macy’s, Walgreens, McDonald’s, Whole Foods, Disney and others.
Despite this competitive threat, Plastc COO Ryan Marquis told The Verge that he is optimistic about the company’s future.
“Ultimately a cloud-based digital wallet will be the winner,” says Marquis, “but with our technology, we can allow consumers to build a digital wallet using a form factor that they’re used to today.” Marquis says there are still many use cases where we need physical cards like subway ticketing machines, ATMs, and gas pumps. “I will utilize Apple Pay because it’s simple and easy, but there are so many use cases in our world where I’m still going to need a physical card,” he says. “There are so many things that point-of-sale machines just aren’t ready for yet.”
Similar to Coin which was announced last year and has yet to ship, Plastc is available now only for pre-order. The card costs $155 and is expected to ship next summer.
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Apple Seeds Second iOS 8.1 Beta to Developers
Apple today released the second beta of iOS 8.1, build 12B407, to registered developers for testing purposes, just over a week after the release of the first iOS 8.1 beta.
iOS 8.1 includes several bug fixes for issues in iOS 8, including a fix for a Bluetooth connectivity problem, and it also includes support for Apple Pay, Apple’s mobile payments service that is launching in October.
Along with iOS 8.1, Apple is also simultaneously working on iOS 8.2 and iOS 8.3, all of which are expected to add new functionality to the operating system.
iOS 8 has had a rough start, with Apple temporarily removing HealthKit ahead of the launch of iOS 8 and then releasing an unstable iOS 8.0.1 update that disabled the cellular and Touch ID service of many users. Apple released iOS 8.0.2 to fix the issue, but several other problems have come to light, including a bug that causes iCloud Drive documents to be deleted.
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Make your aging air conditioner cool again with this pile of sensors
Many folks who reside in South East Asia will agree that during the summer, air conditioners can be temperamental at times — your room’s either too cold or not cold enough. As a result, users — including this author in Hong Kong — end up having to pick up the remote control every now and then to adjust the temperature. This is exactly what Hong Kong’s Ambi Labs is trying to solve: This startup has just launched its Ambi Climate device on Kickstarter, and the idea here is that you’re adding a small hub that uses local weather data plus sunlight, air flow, temperature, humidity and movement detection, in order to adjust the air conditioner accordingly with its infrared transmitter (Ambi Labs says it can quickly add your remote to the database if it’s missing). With the room temperature staying more consistent, you’re saving both energy and the hassle of finding the remote.
In addition to the sensor hub, the Ambi Climate also comes with a companion app for your Android or iOS device, which lets you control your room temperature and humidity even when you’re not at home. Better yet, it can use geo-location and movement detection to automatically turn your air conditioners on or off, depending on whether you’re about to return home or have left a room. The app also learns your preferences and stores them in the cloud, meaning you can apply the same condition settings across multiple Ambi Climate hubs for other air conditioners in your household and even your office. Last but not least, you get visualization on your air conditioner usage, room condition log and estimated energy consumption in the app.
With over 250 backers already pledged, most of the early-bird beta units due in November are already gone, but you can get a mass-produced Ambi Climate from as low as $79, or a double pack for $169, or a triple pack for $249, all due in June 2015 — just in time for next summer.
Filed under: Household
Source: Kickstarter
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Marriott hotels will soon offer wireless charging in lobbies
If you find yourself staying in a Marriott hotel later this month, you may encounter wireless charging in the lobby. The lodging outfit is set to install Qi-equipped tech from Kube Systems in the greatroom lobbies of 29 locations in October. Stations can power up to six devices at the same time while replenishing that smartphone and tablet duo without a tether. Support for iOS, Android and Windows is included, so you’ll be able to leave those cords in the room when heading down for a drink at the bar. Of course, Marriott has 500 hotels around the world, so this seems to be a limited trial before widespread deployment or significant investment.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Wireless, Mobile
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Facebook’s reportedly working on a mobile app for anonymity
Social media giant Facebook drew ire from some users recently due to its strict real name policy. Some even fled for Ello — madness!
Now, it looks like Facebook’s responding to complaints with a mobile app “that allows users to interact inside of it without having to use their real names.” That’s according to two people speaking with The New York Times, anyway; the sources also said the app is set to launch “in the coming weeks.”
Developing …
Source: The New York Times
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Virgin Mobile Unlimited plans now available
AndroidGuys recently brought you news of the new LG Tribute that just launched on Virgin Mobile.
In addition to, and available with, the new device comes some new pricing plans. The new Virgin Mobile Unlimited plans will shake things up in the mobile market yet again.
Do you like no-contract options?
Virgin Mobile Unlimited plans provide customers more no-contract options and flexibility for their wireless service. For customers that only use data via Wi-Fi, there is a new $20 option. Customers on the $35 price plan can choose between more high-speed 3G/4G data or more talk based on their needs. The $45 and $55 plans feature new international options.
Did you catch that? You can choose to go Wi-Fi only for $20/month!
More about international plans.
Virgin Mobile Unlimited international plans let you stay connected with family and friends across the globe.
For just $5 more a month, customers can add-on Virgin Mobile International which includes Unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada (excludes northern territories), as well as Unlimited worldwide text messaging. For just $10 more a month, customers can get all the benefits of International + which include 1,000 minutes to call mobile devices in Mexico, Unlimited calling to over 70 countries3 and discounted calling rates to over 200 countries.
Check out the chart below to select the best Virgin Mobile Unlimited plan for you.
Is this enough to make you switch carriers?
Deals, Discounts, Freebies, and More! Click here to save today!
The post Virgin Mobile Unlimited plans now available appeared first on AndroidGuys.
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Tap Cash Review
Unless you’re currently reading this article on a yacht somewhere in Cabo, I’m guessing that you could probably stand to earn a little bit of money. What if I told you that you could get cash just by downloading a free app. If you’re thinking this sounds like a pretty sweet deal then it may be time to check out Tap Cash.
Overview
Tap Cash is an app that works on a credit system, wherein you exchange credits for certain “gifts” ranging from a $1 Paypal card for 1000 credits to a $10 Google Play gift card for 10000 credits. Every dollar is worth 1000 credits from the app. To get these credits you can download apps or share the app with your friends. The amount of credits you earn is based on the app. For example an app that all you have to do it download and start is going to be worth far fewer credits than one you have to provide information for. Furthermore sharing the app with others is worth more than most apps other than the ones that require a lot of personal information.
What’s especially interesting about this app though is that it creates a little game out of earning these credits. It shows the highest earners for the week, the month, and in total. So far the highest amount earned is about $262, a pretty good haul considering I’ve only managed to earn about ¢10 so far.
My Experience with Tap Cash
For the most part it seemed like a pretty great app. I never was able earn enough credits to be able to exchange it for “gifts”, but from other users reviews it’s clear that if you do manage to earn enough credits they will follow through and give you your money. The only problem of any significance is that sometimes I would download an app that would promise credits if I just started it, but even after doing so I wouldn’t get the credits. I would like to stress that this did not happen with every app I downloaded, but it did happen with a couple. It can also take quite a while to amass enough credits to get a sizable amount of money, but it is certainly possible to do so and many people have.
Will this app turn you into some King Midas figure? No, unfortunately it won’t turn stuff into gold. But will downloading this app be able to earn you a little money that involved little to no effort? Absolutely!
BONUS CREDITS!
Bonus! If you’d like a promo code for 300 credits here’s the link.
Deals, Discounts, Freebies, and More! Click here to save today!
The post Tap Cash Review appeared first on AndroidGuys.
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Google Voice Gets MMS Support from nearly 100 Carriers
Now I don’t know about all of you, but I’m not a huge user of Google Voice. I used it before a while ago for a short time. After that it pretty much died for me. That is until they finally integrated it with Hangouts a few weeks ago. But, that’s just me. I know there are a lot of people out there that love Google Voice. And the one thing that most everyone was complaining about was that it didn’t have MMS support. Well, that’s not an issue anymore, at least for some of you.
Google has been working hard to get MMS support from carriers for a while now and it looks like they finally did it. This news comes from Alex Weisen From Google+. He announced on his profile page that MMS is now being supported by more than 100 carriers in North America.
Some of those carriers include 3 of the big 4 here in the US. T-Mobile, AT&T and Sprint along with Bell Canada, Telus and Rogers in Canada. Those on Verizon seem to be getting the cold shoulder, as there is no word about big red being compatible.
Up until today you could somewhat receive MMS, but they would just arrive to your gmail and that’s no fun. I mean who wants to check their email every time you want to receive a picture message? Certainly not me. Now you don’t have to. After today those of you who are on a carrier that supports it can send picture not just one-on-one, but to a group of people as well.
So if you use Google Voice and this is something you’ve been waiting for, then go ahead and give it a shot and let us know how it works for you. If you don’t have Google Voice installed but you wanna tried it out then go ahead and install it or the more recent Google Hangouts and Hangouts Dialer combo if you’ve integrated it with Hangouts.
As a heads up, there is no app update for this update. All you have to do is sign in and start sending. I have been able to confirm that it does work.
Source: Alex Weisen From Google+
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Cricket Wireless brings the ZTE Grand X Max on October 10th
Looking for a larger than life display on your Cricket Wireless account? Cricket aims to deliver that experience with the ZTE Grand X Max on October 10th. The Grand X Max continues on ZTE’s push for large displays at affordable prices in the US.
The Grand X Max offers up a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor clocked at 1.2GHz, 1 GB of RAM, 8 MP rear camera, 1 MP front facing camera, 3,200 mAh battery, a 6-inch HD display and sports Android 4.4 KitKat. As for storage it comes with just *GB, but does offer micro SD card support. The Grand X Max also has the Qualcomm Quick Charge 1.0 built-in that helps charge the large battery quicker than your usual rates. However, Quick Charge 1.0 is older tech as Qualcomm has since moved to Quick Charge 2.0. That is what you find in the Motorola Turbo Charger that can give you 8 hours of battery life with a 15 minute charge. Still, Quick Charge 1.0 is better than nothing.
Pricing is identical to the slightly more powerful T-Mobile variant, ZTE ZMax, at $199.99 and will be available online and in Cricket stores starting October 10th.
Full press release at Cricket Wireless.
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Apple Reportedly Shifting iPhone Production Balance More Toward iPhone 6 Plus [iOS Blog]
Supply of Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus may gradually improve as Apple shifts production in favor of the unexpectedly popular handset, according to upstream supply chain sources speaking to Digitimes. This claim echoes an earlier report that suggests the iPhone 6 Plus may account for up t0 60 percent of total future iPhone 6 device shipments.
Though the production ratio has been adjusted to meet demand for the 6 Plus, retail supply will take time to improve as component suppliers and assemblers gradually ramp up to meet this new level of production.
But most component suppliers’ current inventories are not sufficient for extra iPhone 6 Plus orders, and device manufacturers also do not have sufficient production lines for related assembly. Therefore, the retail channel may need to wait a while before seeing a signifciant increase in iPhone 6 Plus supply, the sources noted.
The supply of Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus has been constrained since its launch last month. The handset quickly sold out during pre-orders and has remained in short supply. The estimated online shipment time for the handset currently sits at three to four weeks with iPhone tracking websites showing little to no inventory at brick and mortar retail stores.
Real-world usage is showing strong preference for the smaller iPhone 6 model, but with availability constraints on the iPhone 6 Plus, that result is not unexpected. With an upcoming launch in China on October 17, reservations there are seeing a more even split between the two sizes.
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AIVAnet 