UK banks update their iPhone apps with Touch ID support
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and NatWest have announced updates to their iPhone apps, enabling the support of Touch ID authentication. Since the feature itself has been compromised in the past, unlocking the app using Touch ID will not grant access to all app features. Available to iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus owners, access to fund transfers and other account tasks require additional verification.
Ben Schlabs, from German hacking think tank SRLabs, warned iPhone owners who hold accounts with these banks and wish to start using the feature:
The security implications are the same, it is just as dangerous… I think it has been shown that it is pretty easy to spoof it and the risks aren’t fully understood. Just the fact that you are carrying the key around with you and leave copies of it exposed everywhere you go makes it a very different risk to something that is inside your brain. The risks are poorly understood.
Schlabs continued to explain that while there are security risks (as there are with any form of authentication), most consumers have little need to worry as there have been no reports (that he is currently aware of) of the iPhone sensor being used in crimes. It’s certainly food for thought, though Apple has stated that Touch ID is not a complete replacement for traditional security measures and is simply available to provide convenience to consumers.
The bank states that the new feature for both apps will go live on February 19.
- Free – Download RBS
- Free – Download NatWest
OnePlus One StyleSwap Bamboo Cover installation and review
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One of the highly anticipated features announced with the OnePlus One was the ability to swap out the standard back cover with covers made of a variety of materials, ranging from bamboo to denim. Unfortunately, OnePlus had to cancel these StyleSwap covers due to production issues, but the Bamboo cover, in limited numbers, was made available to consumers. I was lucky enough to pick one up, and today, we’ll be taking a look at the installation process in this quick review of the OnePlus One StyleSwap Bamboo Cover!
Unboxing this accessory, the cover comes in typical OnePlus packaging, in a white and red box. The cover has all the appropriate cutouts necessary, including one for the SIM card slot, that is a separate piece that needs to be fixed after the cover is installed. Included in the box is an installation guide to help you replace the covers, as well as the tool required to do it, an instrument that looks like a guitar pick, that makes separating the back cover from the phone easy. Two SIM card trays are also available, one suited for a microSIM card, and another that can be used with nanoSIMs, which is a very welcome addition, since I previously had to use an adapter to use my nanoSIM cards with the OnePlus One.
Another tool that is required to get started is the SIM tray removal tool, that should come with the device itself when you first got it. Removing the SIM tray is the first thing you have to do before getting started on removing the back cover. I used the blue tool that comes with the accessory to pop out all the clips that hold the back cover in place, but to get started, you can use a headphone jack to pop out the first notch at the top of the phone. Removing the sandstone black cover was quite difficult, but the tool did make it easier than it might have been with other generic instruments.
Taking a look at the two covers after removing the sandstone cover, the first thing you’ll notice is that, while the sandstone material makes its way around to the sides, in the case of the Bamboo cover, the lining is a plastic material, with the insides of both also made of plastic.
Installing the bamboo cover involves just snapping it into place. Pop in the replacement SIM tray available, and you’re good to go. Bamboo back covers are my favorites, and for now, only the Moto X (2014) and the OnePlus One are the devices that allow for this option, which is one of the big reasons why the former is what I use as my daily driver. The Bamboo StyleSwap cover costs $50, but that isn’t that big a price to pay, given that you can dramatically change the look of the device from the standard Sandstone Black.
The handling experience with the phone remains largely unchanged, even if the grip feels a little bit better, but not by much, with the Sandstone version, especially when using the device with one hand. As far as the look goes, the plastic lining around that separates the bamboo from the frame of the phone is a slightly jarring. You do get the look of a three-toned phone though, when you move from the bamboo to the plastic, and then to the metal frame that goes around the front of the device. All said and done, it still looks quite exquisite.
As far as connectivity is concerned, the change in material doesn’t affect it any way, with NFC, Bluetooth and mobile network connectivity as strong as you would expect.
See Also:
So there you have it – a quick look at the Bamboo StyleSwap cover for the OnePlus One! You may require an invite to be able to buy the cover, but occasionally, you will be able to buy it for $49.99 from the OnePlus Accessories page. If you have a OnePlus One and you’re hoping to change up the look of your smartphone, this Bamboo cover is certainly a great way to go.b
This WiFi chip can ‘steer’ signals to reach distant rooms
Everyone gets WiFi issues every now and then, some more severe than others, prompting companies like Eero to conjure up possible solutions. A San Diego company called Ethertronics believes its new “active antenna” chip originally developed for cellphones can solve slow WiFi connections, though. Even better, the company says the EtherChip can extend your connection’s range and make sure there’s decent signal throughout your house even without the use of boosters. That chip, which uses “active steering algorithms,” creates multiple signals around the antenna and chooses the best one to use for each device connecting to it.
According to GigaOm, that will allow your WiFi to work even behind thick walls and ceilings to penetrate rooms where it might not typically be available — Ethertronics claims a 20 to 45 percent increase in signal strengh. It works even better if you’re also using the new breed of 802.11ac routers with their multiple antennas. The chip is yet to be used on any phone (previous ones are already found in Samsung Galaxy devices) or other gadgets, but the company’s hoping router makers will embrace its technology now that more and more people are starting to use WiFi.
[Image credit: Brenderous/Flickr]
Filed under: Wireless
Via: GigaOm
Source: Herald Online
Sony to “explore potential alliances” in “highly volatile” mobile business
Sony revealed its mid-term corporate strategy for the next three years, and mobile is singled out as one of the areas where Sony will focus on minimizing risks, rather than creating growth or profits.
For the fiscal years 2015-2017, Sony wants to return to a healthy profit, by focusing on “growth drivers” including the PlayStation platform, image sensors for mobile devices and cameras, and entertainment. These are all business where Sony will implement “growth measures and engage in aggressive capital investment” with the goal of expanding both revenues and profits.
A second group of activities mentioned in the strategy is “stable profit generators,” businesses where Sony doesn’t foresee growth, but can still deliver “steady profit and positive cash flow.” In other words, these are units that won’t bring Sony a lot of money, but won’t cause losses either.
Finally, Sony mentioned Mobile Communications and TV as “areas focusing on volatility management.” Here, Sony will focus on curtailing risks, cutting costs, and dealing with commoditization in a “challenging competitive landscape.” The company hinted that it will invest more parsimoniously in mobile and TV and that it’s even considering partnerships or spinoffs:
“By carefully selecting the territories and product areas it targets, Sony will seek to limit its capital investment and establish a business structure capable of securing stable profits. The Company will also continue to explore potential alliances with other companies in these areas, in response to changes in the business landscape.”
And
“Sony also intends to move forward with preparations for splitting out other business units thereafter”
The company didn’t specify what business units it considers “splitting,” but the term could mean two things here: Sony could spin out mobile as a wholly owned subsidiary, in order to give it more autonomy and to reduce costs. Or, it could sell it off, like it did with the Vaio laptop business, which it unloaded to a group of investors in 2014.
Over the past couple of years, Sony touted mobile as a pillar of its return to profitability and future growth. In fact, when Vaio was offloaded in February 2014, a better focus on mobile was offered as one of the key reasons for the divestment. But things have changed, and CFO Kenichiro Yoshida has made it clear in the past that Sony has no “sacred cows.” Yoshida has impressed investors with hard, no-nonsense measures, including the write-off of most of the value Sony put in the mobile unit. As such, we shouldn’t really be surprised if Sony decides to take a drastic measure sooner or later.
On the product front, two weeks ahead of MWC, there’s no word of any Sony event at the show, and it’s increasingly clear we won’t see the Xperia Z4 in Barcelona.
Hike messenger update squashes ‘Crasher’ bug
If you’ve been facing issues with Hike messenger randomly crashing over the last few days, you’ll be glad to know that the issue has been resolved. The team at Hike have rolled out an update that fixes the “Crasher” bug.
OpenStreetMap can give directions to your destination
Some third-party apps are already using OpenStreetMap data to give you directions, but now you can look up routes directly on its website. It works just like Google Maps or any of its other alternatives: type in a location and then your destination to find out how to get there by car, bike or foot. Obviously, that’s nothing groundbreaking, but the crowdsourced map’s developers are hoping it would bring new blood to the website. The more direct users it has, the more people there are to add or correct the names of locations and infrastructure, or even add simple stuff that make a map better, such as one-way streets, dead-ends or U-turns. OpenStreetMap’s completely free, so you can visit it anytime you want to get into the spirit of crowdsourced cartography.
Filed under: Transportation
Source: OpenStreetMap
NBC brings live streaming to select markets with update to Android app
NBC has rolled out a significant update to its Android app that brings live streaming functionality in select markets as well as the ability to watch full episodes of the network’s classic shows. To access live streaming content, you’re going to need a subscription to a cable or satellite partner in available markets, but you can watch older NBC shows such as The A-Team, Miami Vice, Battlestar Galactica and more for free even if you’re not subscribed.
Sony aims for a profit of $4.2 billion by 2018, will focus on image sensors and games
In its three-year corporate strategy plan, Sony has highlighted that it is aiming to attain an operating profit of 500 billion yen ($4.2 billion) by focusing on profitable divisions within the company, such as the image sensor, gaming and entertainment businesses. While its mobile division has seen a turn for the better in recent quarters, a sale may not be out of the question as Sony looks to consolidate its offerings and focus on niche segments.
Nexus 5 Spotted on Geekbench Running Android 5.1
Nexus devices are usually the first to receive updates, so their updates tend to serve as a preview for things to come. A Nexus device has done just that for us today by running a Geekbench test while running Lollipop 5.1. The update will most likely be a small one, due to both the small change in the number (despite 4.0 being Ice Cream Sandwich and 4.1 being Jelly Bean), and the short, 4 months that have passed since Lollipop’s release.
Lollipop 5.1 has been predicted to be officially released in February, but it has already been seen on some Android One devices in the Philippines. As of right now, all we know about 5.1 is that it offers better battery life, a silent mode, better RAM management, and a more stable system. However, stay tuned to TalkAndroid for more information as it is made known.
Source: Primate Labs
Via: Phone Arena
Come comment on this article: Nexus 5 Spotted on Geekbench Running Android 5.1
HTC begins teasing the ‘new HTC One’
Last month HTC first set out invites for a press event on March 1st. At the time, HTC didn’t officially mention what the event would focus on, but given the timeframe and all the increased HTC One M9 rumors, it was pretty obvious HTC was planning to reveal its next-gen HTC One flagship. Now HTC UK has confirmed that this is the case, releasing the first teaser over Twitter.
In the image HTC shows the picture of what appears to be flower petals, with the phrase “let them stare” centered in the middle, followed by the label “The New HTC One”. As you can see above, it also mentions the next-gen device will be revealed March 1st. Of course, that’s not necessarily all that we’ll see from HTC. There’s still rumors that HTC is planning to unveil a wearable at some point this year, and HTC has increasingly hinted that it aims to expand its reach into new non-smartphone categories throughout the year — so it’s possible some of this vision will also be unveiled at MWC.
What do you think, excited for the next-gen HTC One? Aside from smartphones, what else would you like to see from the company?
AIVAnet 