Verizon Nexus 6 revealed to be carrying a different build number
The Verizon branded Nexus 6 is revealed to be packing a new build number for its Android 5.1 ROM, something which we haven’t seen before. Known as LMY47E, it’s different from other Android 5.1 builds that we saw for the Nexus 6 (LMY47D).
It was initially believed that this is a new build of Android 5.1 for Nexus 6 handsets, but a quick clarification cleared out our doubts. So if you stumble across this particular version on the Android Developers site, make sure you proceed with caution as it might not function well with other variants of the Nexus 6.
It is said that the Verizon Nexus 6 comes with this build number by default, but strangely, it has taken this long to hit the Android Developers page.
If you’re a developer and would like to modify the Verizon specific Android 5.1 ROM, make sure you download it from the link below.
Source: Android Developers
Come comment on this article: Verizon Nexus 6 revealed to be carrying a different build number
Apple is reportedly willing to share viewing data to clinch TV deals
Apple is apparently bending over backwards to make sure that its oft-rumored streaming TV service gets off the ground. New York Post sources claim that the company is willing to share viewer data with the networks, including demographics and viewing habits, if it means getting channels ahead of its service’s reported fall launch. It’s not clear just how much info broadcasters would get, although there’s talk of letting them run ads if they don’t think the subscription fees are enough.
No matter what, Apple would be breaking from tradition to grant this kind of access to its customer base. The company often likes to brag about how it doesn’t share your data, and once told magazine publishers that they couldn’t collect subscriber details unless they asked readers directly. If the rumor is at all true, though, it suggests that Apple is willing to make exceptions if it can prevent rivals like PlayStation Vue or Sling TV from getting an early lead.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, Apple
Source: New York Post
Facebook will soon let you send money to friends through Messenger
Facebook has just announced a new service that allows you to easily send money to your friends through Facebook Messenger. Once the feature rolls out to everyone, all you’ll need to do is start a conversation with your friend, tap the “$” icon and enter the amount you want to send. After that, tap Pay on the top of your screen, then proceed to enter your debit card information. In order to receive money from your friend, you’ll need to tap the Add Card button in a chat in order to receive the transfer.
The money sent through the Messenger app will be transferred instantly, though depending on your bank, there may be a one to three day delay before the money becomes available to you. Also, credit cards aren’t supported, and you’ll need either a Visa or MasterCard to set up the payment service. On the security front, Facebook explains:
Once you add a debit card, you can create a PIN to provide additional security the next time you send money. On iOS devices you can also enable Touch ID. As always, you can add another layer of authentication to your account at any time.
Additionally, Facebook will use secure systems that will encrypt your connection, and will use “layers of software and hardware protection that meet the highest industry standards”. A team of anti-fraud specialists will help monitor for suspicious purchase activity to ensure your account is kept safe.
The new payment feature will begin to roll out on Android, iOS and desktops across the U.S. in the coming months.
Bing Distill lets you answer the burning questions people are searching for
While there’s been no formal announcement yet, it looks like Microsoft has launched a beta for a Yahoo Answers-like service called Bing Distill.
Nintendo looking to develop mobile games
Renowned Japanese game developer, Nintendo will reportedly step into the mobile gaming market soon. This is a natural transition for the company given that customers are taking mobile gaming seriously with new gen hardware capable of taking massive workloads.
Nintendo has partnered with DeNA to bring games tailored specifically for smart devices. There was a time when mobile gaming was all about relatively small games like Angry Birds and Candy Crush. But given the sort of graphics heavy games that the developers are pushing these days, we can expect some good content from Nintendo.
The agreement signed by the two companies mentions that there will be new games developed under the partnership, so don’t expect to see repolished version of classic Nintendo games.
“To ensure the quality of game experience that consumers expect from this alliance of Nintendo and DeNA, only new original games optimized for smart device functionality will be created, rather than porting games created specifically for the Wii U home console or the Nintendo 3DS portable system,” the press release said.
Source: Globe Newswire
Come comment on this article: Nintendo looking to develop mobile games
Health insurance data breach exposes 11 million people
Unfortunately, the days of massive health care data breaches are far from over. Premera Blue Cross has revealed that hackers breached its insurance customer data starting in May 2014, potentially exposing both the financial and medical records of 11 million people — the largest such attack to date. There’s no evidence yet that the data has been “used inappropriately,” the company says, and it notes that both the FBI and security firm FireEye are already on the case.
While the practical damage appears to be limited so far, the hack is a reminder of why there’s a push for federal data protection laws. Premera didn’t learn of the breach until late January, but it took 47 days to tell clients. That’s a long time to leave people unaware that their most sensitive information is vulnerable. In theory, national rules would speed up these kinds of disclosures and give you a better chance at preventing (or at least, spotting) fraud.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez]
Filed under: Internet
Source: Reuters
Humble PC and Android Bundle 12 lets you pay what you want for seven different titles
The newest Humble Bundle has just been released, bringing you $136 worth of games for a significant discount. All seven titles being offered this time around are available on both Android and PC, and three of the games are making their Android debut today. And if you pay $1 or more, you’ll be able to redeem all of these games on Steam, which means you can play them on any computer running Windows, OS X or Linux.
If you donate any amount of money, here are the games you’ll receive:
- VVVVVV
- The Inner World
- Titan Attacks!
- Tetrobot and Co.
To get the next two games, you’ll need to beat the average donation price. Usually the price fluctuates a bit, but it’s currently hovering around $4.27. Here’s what you’ll get if you beat the average:
- Costume Quest
- Ironclad Tactics
If you pay $10 or more, you’ll unlock:
- Shadowrun Returns
As is the case with other Humble Bundle deals, you can choose where your money goes. Divvy up your donation between the developers of each title and between two charities – the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the American Red Cross.
More games will be added in about a week, so if you don’t see any that interest you, be sure to check back in a few days. Do you see anything worth downloading in this Humble Bundle?
Soon you can hand crank your iPhone, like our ancient ancestors
Team Ampware wants to make the iPhone 5, 5s and 6 human-powered: Introducing the CrankCase.
If you truly want to get off the grid but still need to use your iPhone, check out this new Indiegogo crowd funding project called the CrankCase.
The CrankCase is a durable case for the iPhone with a built-in hand-crank charger. Crank it for five minutes and get up to three hours of life for an iPhone 5. If you can only spare one minute of time to crank, you can still add another 40 minutes of talk time to your iPhone.
Ampware doesn’t plan to start shipping the CrankCase until October, 2015, but you can pre-order now starting at $49.99 — the retail price will be $129.99 if the product makes it to market.
The developers also plan to produce a CrankBox device; it’s a more universal charging mechanism that works with any smartphone or USB-powered device that can charge up from a 500 mA output.
If you’re the sort of person that likes to get away from it all but still wants to be able to call, text or use apps in a pinch, the CrankCase and CrankBox might be really appealing. If you have any sort of repetitive strain injury on your wrists or lower arms, though, you might want to pass on this one.
CrankCase and CrankBox are really neat ideas. Hopefully they’ll be able to take it to the next step — they’ve given themselves until April 18, 2015 to raise $50,000 on Indiegogo. You can also get more info on the Ampware Web site.
Apple Pay picks up support from 39 new banks and credit unions
Apple Pay has picked up support from another batch of banks and credit unions today.
In total, today’s additions add 39 new institutions to the quickly-growing list, as the number of supported banks well exceeds 100.
Here’s the full breakdown of the newly added banks and credit unions:
- America’s Christian Credit Union
- America’s Credit Union
- Arizona Federal Credit Union
- BankPlus
- BMI Federal Credit Union
- Canton School Employees FCU
- Charles Schwab Bank
- Clearview Federal Credit Union
- First Community Bank & Trust
- First Community Credit Union
- First Credit Union
- First National Bank of Pennsylvania
- GTE Financial
- Gulf Winds FCU
- Hiway Federal Credit Union
- Independent Bank
- Jordan Credit Union
- KeyBank
- Lake Michigan Credit Union
- Langley Federal Credit Union
- Los Angeles Federal Credit Union
- Members First Credit Union
- Michigan State University Federal Credit Union
- NBT Bank
- ORLN Federal Credit Union
- Prosperity Bank
- RBC Bank
- Sacramento Credit Union
- Salem Five Bank
- San Francisco Fire Credit Union
- Sandy Spring Bank
- Schools Financial Credit Union
- Silicon Valley Bank
- TruMark Financial Credit Union
- United Nations FCU
- Vantage Credit Union
- VyStar Credit Union
- Wanigas Credit Union
- Wings Financial Credit Union
Customers of the above banks will now be able to pay for items at retailers that have also adopted support for apple pay using just their iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, or Apple Watch after its release in April. Of course, there are many more banks that have added support over the last several months, a list of which you can find from Apple via the source link below.
OnePlus announces its release date for Lollipop
Since launching its first handset in early 2014, OnePlus has had its ups and downs. Among the downs has been the slow release of software updates. Today, the company announced release dates for the OnePlus One, running CyanogenMod 12S, to receive Lollipop as well as the handsets in India with OxygenOS.
On or before March 30, owners of the OnePlus One should expect to receive Lollipop in the form of a software update. Handsets with OxygenOS are told to wait for March 27 at the latest. So owners of either devices should see Lollipop arrive in about two weeks.
The company explained the software update’s delay:
We never intended to keep you waiting. Unfortunately, we ran into some unexpected roadblocks. First, there was an unforeseen OS signing issue, which has recently been resolved. Our camera module had stability issues on Lollipop, and we had to rebuild it for compatibility. Several other crucial drivers, including our Wi-Fi drivers, also needed to be updated to work flawlessly with the upgrade. Admittedly, it took a little more time than we had planned, but we only release updates that we are proud of; that means refusing to take shortcuts or deliver sub-par experiences.
Because nothing ever seems to go smoothly for OnePlus, people should be prepared for the aforementioned dates to be missed. The company does have a plan to redeem itself in the event that the deadlines are missed. Forgoing either one of those deadlines will launch a contest for consumers to win one of five OnePlus One devices. To enter, merely comment in the announcement post below.
Source: OnePlus
Come comment on this article: OnePlus announces its release date for Lollipop
AIVAnet 