Next-Generation iPhone Said to Feature Upgraded Touch ID With Reduced Errors
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has provided reliable information about Apple’s upcoming product plans in the past, claims that Apple’s next-generation iPhone will feature an upgraded Touch ID module with reduced reading errors for an improved and safer Apple Pay experience. 
“We think the new iPhone,expected to launch in 3Q15, will be equipped with an upgraded Touch ID module, with which Apple (US) intends to offer a better and safer Apple Pay user experience with reduced reading errors. We therefore raise our 2015F shipments of Touch ID module by 12.4% to 262mn sets, boosted by Apple Pay and new iPhone models.”
Kuo wrote in a note to investors that he expects the next-generation iPhone to ship in the third quarter of 2015, lining up historically with past releases of iPhones in September. 
[Deal] Spend 2 minutes completing Google’s Security Checkup and receive 2 GB of Google Drive storage
Did you know that today is Safer Internet Day? To celebrate, Google is giving you a chance to grab 2 GB of extra Google Drive storage, and it will only cost you 2 minutes of your time. More importantly, you will secure your account in the process
All you have to do is complete Google’s Security Checkup, which basically confirms your recovery information, apps and devices that have access to your account information, and lets you check your most recent sign-in activity.
What could be easier than that? After completing the Checkup, don’t expect the extra storage to show automatically. Google will add the 2 GB of extra storage to everyone around February 28, and you will get an email when completed. Unfortunately this deal won’t work for Google Apps customers, but they recommend going through the Safety Check anyway.
Hit the source link to get started.
source: Google / Google Security Checkup
Come comment on this article: [Deal] Spend 2 minutes completing Google’s Security Checkup and receive 2 GB of Google Drive storage
New Xperia E4 may offer a hint at the upcoming Z4’s design
The Xperia line of smartphones may win the praise of camera enthusiasts and Sony aficionados around the world, but for a variety of reasons, their sales aren’t providing much of a boost to the company’s bottom line. This may be largely due to marketing (or lack thereof) or a design that is overly squared and has seen little change over the past couple of years. Word on the street is that the upcoming Xperia Z4 will feature a new design language and a longer lasting period of pertinence.
We now have the first official images of the Xperia E4 and, while nothing is for sure, if this is a hint of the design language Sony plans to use in this year, things may become interesting indeed. Featuring a curved design that’s more than a little reminiscent of a certain Microsoft married phablet, the E4 won’t be very appealing to spec seekers. The smartphone features a 5-inch qHD (960 x 540) screen, a quad-core 1.3GHz MediaTek CPU, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of on-board storage, a 5 megapixel rear camera, dual-SIM, Android 4.4.4 and a “stamina” battery mode that allows up to 2 days of usage.
Nokia Lumia 1320 — for better or worse, Sony’s new design language seems a bit… inspired at best. Though change is certainly what the doctor may have ordered!
The Xperia E4 follows in the footsteps of the E3, which was announced in September of last year, and, at least according to its name, is the first generation in Sony’s 4th-gen Xperia family. It remains to be seen whether Sony will keep the 6-month cycle for the Xperia Z4, or more towards a longer lifespan, as rumors suggest.
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The Xperia E4 will become later this month in select countries; at least for now, the US is not one of the markets getting it. Also unclear is the price of the device, but what we do know for sure is that the Xperia E4 will face some strong competitors.
While it’s safe to say most people will not give the E4 more than a passing glance at best, the device may be the world’s first window into what the upcoming Z4 will look like. Any thoughts?
Xposed Framework for Android 5.0 Lollipop coming “soon”
The popular Xposed Framework, which allows for a wide range of customization tweaks to Android, sadly is not yet working with Android 5.0 Lollipop. Developer, rovo89 had previously commented about issues with development time and adapting the software to various new Lollipop features, but it looks like a release may finally be nearing.
Commenting briefly on the XDA Forum, rovo89 indicates that Xposed for Lollipop could be ready “soon” and that it is already “working very well”. Previously, it was not even clear if bringing all of the features over to Lollipop would be possible, but fortunately it seems that development has come along well and is working on his own Nexus 5, as shown in the screen-shot below.
Previously, compatibility issues with the ART run time, SE Linux security and a lack of time to commit to the project had been holding back a Lollipop version of the software.
We still don’t have a date set for release, but this is a much more upbeat outlook for Xposed fans than there appeared to be towards the end of last year. Hopefully it won’t be too long until Lollipop users can resume tinkering with Xposed Framework.
The MeFoto RoadTrip tripod takes your iPhone photography to the next level
MeFOTO makes an entire array of colorful tripods equipped to tackle any terrain you may need to travel. The MeFOTO RoadTrip tripod is a nice compromise in weight and size and also converts into a monopod — or selfie stick for those who are into that kind of thing. By itself, it’s capable of holding mid-size to smaller full frame DSLR cameras. Add the SideKick360 attachment, and you’ve got yourself a tripod setup that works great with your iPhone, too!
Editor’s note: I picked the MeFOTO RoadTrip tripod because it fit my weight and size requirements, both expanded and folded. However, most of this review should apply to most MeFOTO tripods since they’re of the same construction. There are small differences between tripods, though, so make sure you research those before choosing a model.
It sounds silly, but the first thing that stuck out to me about MeFOTO’s line of products was the bold colors of the tripods. Picking out a tripod is usually pretty dull business, but when I saw the wide array of colors MeFOTO offered, it caught my attention. I had always heard good things about them, so I figured I’d give one a try. After narrowing down my selection, I ultimately chose the RoadTrip model in aluminum. MeFOTO offers many of their tripods in carbon fiber as well, which makes them a hell of a lot lighter. Just be prepared for a drastic price difference — that weight differential is worth a pretty penny.
The RoadTrip comes with an extra set of metal legs that are great for rugged or rocky terrain. The rubber legs that come already screwed into the tripod are good for grip. For instance, if you need to prop one leg on a lamp post or side post, the rubber will definitely hold itself up without having to worry about your camera taking a tumble. You also get a nice carrying bag with an adjustable strap. I carried this particular tripod through 4 countries alongside my Lowepro Passport Sling III and found it to be comfortable and lightweight. I imagine the carbon fiber model must feel like carrying a feather around.
What drew me to the MeFOTO, aside from its fancy colors, was its construction. Simply turn the legs and they’ll expand. You can lock legs and different angles as well to accommodate for tough-to-shoot terrain and cramped quarters. What really set the MeFOTO apart from any tripod I’ve ever owned was the ballhead itself: MeFOTO says it’s an Arca-Swiss style, and while that means very little to me, it’s the smoothest tripod I’ve ever used while panning. I’ve yet to find an angle I wasn’t able to get by adjusting the ballhead. I’ve even used it to level a photo — because I’m too lazy to re-adjust the legs. And mainly because it’s that smooth and easy to manipulate. And for anyone wondering, the RoadTrip does feature a recessed hook, so you can add extra weight for stability.
The RoadTrip also converts into a monopod with a nice foam grip when you remove the other two legs. You can use the monopod with the standard mounting plate, or you can purchasing a SideKick360 attachment for your iPhone. MeFOTO also released a SideKick360 Plus that’s the same price but accommodates larger phones such as the iPhone 6 Plus.
The good
- High quality aluminum and carbon fiber
- Easy to assemble and disassemble, a common pain point with many tripods
- Ballhead is super smooth and allows for super fine adjustments on the fly
- Two sets of legs for two different kinds of terrain
- Easily converts to a monopod (or selfie stick if you will)
- Lots of bold and beautiful colors to choose from
The bad
- Carbon fiber model is quite steep at over $300
- I’ve had the legs come unscrewed in the travel bag, not a deal breaker but slightly annoying
- To use the monopod as a true selfie stick, you’ll need to buy a bluetooth remote
The bottom line
If you want a high quality tripod that offers no-fuss assembly and disassembly, travels light, and offers a smartphone attachment with just as much versatility as a traditional well-built mount, the RoadTrip definitely fits the bill. You can always buy a generic attachment for your iPhone, but the SideKick360 offers a great grip and lets you rotate and straighten on the fly without any compromises. Not to mention you get a GoPro-style monopod all in one.
The price point may not fit everyone’s budget, but if you take lots of photos with both your DSLR and want to take your iPhone photography to the next level, MeFOTO’s lineup of tripods is the place to look.
Shell petrol stations to let you pay with your phone using PayPal
Those of us in the know are patiently waiting for QR code technology to take off, as it inevitably will, but Shell and PayPal aren’t willing to stand by and end up falling behind the curve. Pouncing on the flourishing standard, the two have shaken hands on a deal that’ll soon let patrons at Shell petrol stations pay for fuel using only their phones, PayPal details, and some well-placed QR codes. Having successfully trialed the mobile payment method way back in 2013, it’s ready to roll out to the “vast majority” of Shell garages in April, though will initially be reserved for members of Shell’s Drivers’ Club programme before randoms can get involved later this year. “Using a debit or credit card to pay at the pump simply isn’t convenient enough,” a fictional spokesperson commented, adding that booting up the Android/iOS Shell Motorist or Paypal apps, and pairing with a pump via a QR code so your PayPal credentials can be charged is the stuff futuristic nightmares dreams are made of. A receipt of the transaction will also be sent to your phone when you’re done, confirming you’ve successfully completed the process and not screeched off with a full, free tank.
Filed under: Cellphones, Transportation, Mobile
Via: Pocket-lint
Source: Shell
Accessory of the Day: 6ft MicroUSB cable $4.79
Always a good thing to have on hand, this MicroUSB cable from AmazonBasics has thousands of 5-star reviews. This is a perfect combo with a wall or car charger or to just keep on hand for file transferring. Supporting 480Mbps transfer speed, these cables are a wonderful deal at only $4.79 (Prime eligible).
Join Prime and get this deal with FREE two-day shipping!
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Hardware of the Samsung Galaxy S6 confirmed thanks to AnTuTu listing
The Samsung Galaxy S6 has just made an appearance on AnTuTu benchmarks, telling us everything we needed to know about the hardware of the handset.
The device shown in the listing has the model number SM-G925W8 which could be the Galaxy S6 Edge. Considering that both the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge are expected to pack identical hardware, we can expect the same feature set to be available on the Galaxy S6 as well.
According to this new revelation, the Galaxy S6 Edge will pack a 5.1 inch 2560 x 1440 resolution display, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage (possibly expandable), a 20-megapixel camera, a 5-megapixel front facing camera and the Samsung Exynos 7420 chipset with the Mali-T760 GPU. Naturally, the device shown here is running Android 5.0.2 Lollipop by default.
Given the hardware on offer, the smartphone has managed to score 60,978 on AnTuTu, which is the highest ever score received by a smartphone. This is all thanks to the new Exynos 7420 chipset which is manufactured using the company’s 14nm process while its alternative, the Snapdragon 810 uses the 20nm process.
The Galaxy S6 could be shaping up to be quite the smartphone as we get closer to the launch. What do you think about the hardware of the Galaxy S6/S6 Edge? Let us know below.
Source: myDrivers
Via: Phone Arena
Come comment on this article: Hardware of the Samsung Galaxy S6 confirmed thanks to AnTuTu listing
RHA T10 In-Ear Headphones Review
Sound Guys is our sister site, dedicated to all things audio. Once in a while, we’ll be sharing the coolest products they review here.
You’d be forgiven for saying that you’ve never heard of RHA, but the name is becoming increasingly well known in audio circles. Specifically, the RHA T10 series of earbuds has gathered glowing reviews from quite a few publications.
Available in two models, the T10 (no mic or remote) and T10i (iOS-friendly mic and remote) have some calling them “new classics.” With that kind of help, we just had to take a look at them ourselves.
One of the coolest features of the RHA T10s lies in the the three filters that allow you to tune the sound to your liking. Not enough bass? Swap out the Reference filter for the Bass filter. Too little treble? Toss the treble filter on. Being able to play Goldilocks with your sound without having to reach for an EQ app is fantastic.
While this model may not include a built in remote, the RHA T10 are a premium pair of in-ears, perfect for Android users who value great sound over making hands-free calls or skipping tracks without touching their phone. That may not be for everybody, but if you ask us the sound quality here is more than worth it.
Interested in the RHA T10 series yet? If you are, either check out the video above or read the full review over at Sound Guys!
David Kleidermacher joins BlackBerry as Chief Security Officer
BlackBerry Deepens Security Expertise with New Executive Appointment
BlackBerry has now announced they’ve signed on David Kleidermacher as Chief Security Officer where he will oversee security-specific research, product development and be in charge of BlackBerry’s product certification and approval program. Mr. Kleidermacher most recently served as Chief Technology Officer at Green Hills Software. He holds patents and patents pending in the areas of software development tools, mobile security and IoT technology.
“David is an outstanding addition to our best-in-class security team, and he will help extend BlackBerry’s gold standard of security as we work with customers to meet new cybersecurity challenges,” said John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO of BlackBerry. “In particular, David’s knowledge of securing the Internet of Things and embedded systems will be invaluable as we execute on our strategy and continue to expand our management of the world’s mobile endpoints.”
According to the post on the Inside BlackBerry blog introducing David, during his time at Green Hills, he led the team that developed the company’s market-leading INTEGRITY high reliability real-time operating system that was ultimately certified by the NSA at EAL6+ High Robustness Common Criteria SKPP — the highest security level ever achieved for an operating system. It was also certified by the FAA.
AIVAnet 