Amazon is turning 20 and offering a load of awesome Prime deals
This year, on July 15th, Amazon is turning 20. Halfway through college, and in the PRIME (pun intended) of its’ life, Amazon has taken the world by storm, and amongst the largest online retailers in the world. Well, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its’ inception, Amazon will be offering Black Friday-like promotions throughout the whole day.
Black Friday part 2, or part 1 depending on how you look at it, will be open to all Prime subscribers in the following countries:
- US
- UK
- Spain
- Japan
- Italy
- German
- France
- Canada
- Austria
Amazon’s Prime Day will begin at Midnight PST and will last the entire 24 hours. Within those 24 hours, various items will be going on sale with the addition of some great lightning deals going off as well.
Amazon hasn’t stated or leaked which items will be going on sale, but if this is being touted as having sales equivalent to Black Friday, we can only assume that there will be deals to be had everywhere. If you aren’t already a Prime Member, be sure to sign up, at least for the 30 day free trial, which gives you free 2 day shipping on thousands of items. If the free trial suits your needs, you can purchase Amazon Prime for only $99 a year.
The Prime subscription gets the best deal on shipping for a multitude of items, as well as gives you access to the catalog of movies found within Amazon Instant Video, and a few other goodies. So be sure to check out Amazon Prime if you haven’t already, and let us know what you hope to see on sale during Prime Day, in the comments below.
Source: Engadget
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MasterCard is working on a selfie payment app
Mobile payments are set to become a huge industry, with Apple, Google, Samsung and others all vying to replace your traditional credit card. MasterCard is also looking to hop on the trend but is taking a less conventional approach.,Tthe company wants you to snap a selfie to make a payment.
The credit and debit card company will soon begin testing a mobile app that uses facial recognition or a fingerprint to confirm a payment. The software relies on the users phone camera in order to scan their face or capture a fingerprint, which is used to confirm the payer’s identity.
MasterCard is planning to use the new software to help cut down on fraud from stolen passwords. The company sees its new security solution as a successor to its “SecureCode” online password system.
“Passwords are a pain … The new generation, which is into selfies … I think they’ll find it cool. They’ll embrace it” – Ajay Bhalla, MasterCard
However, this facial recognition idea sounds like it might be vulnerable to trickery, so Mastercard has made it so that the system requires the user to blink, in order to confirm that the person is real and not just a picture.
The application will also be able to use a smartphone camera to identify a customer’s fingerprint. Again there are legitimate concerns about how secure this type of technology would be, especiallywhen compared with hardware based fingerprint scanning technologies. MasterCard says that the fingerprint data will remain encoded on the user’s device, but facial data will be transmitted over the internet to MasterCard for verification. The company is also said to be experimenting with voice recognition technology for secure payments.
Initially, Mastercard will be running a limited experiment involving 500 customers. Once testing is complete and any issues are worked out, MasterCard plans to launch its software publicly sometime after that.
Would you trust your bank account to MasterCard’s selfie security system?
Real life ‘Pac-Man’ satellite will clean up space junk
The Swiss aren’t big on littering, and that philosophy apparently applies to space, too. After the nation’s EPFL Center for Space Engineering launched its first satellites (the tiny SwissCubes) into orbit, the very next mission planned was “CleanSpace One” to get them out of orbit. For one, the researchers didn’t want to add to the reams of existing space garbage threatening other satellites and astronauts at speeds of up to 15,000mph. But mainly, they want to test a practical system for cleaning space junk with relatively small targets. After considering various systems, the EPFL has settled on a “Pac-Man” solution that will trap the satellites with a conical net.
The operation will be tricky, because just finding the 4×4-inch satellites is going to be difficult. As such, the researchers are developing a high dynamic-range camera and image processing system that can spot bright reflections coming off the SwissCubes as they spin in space. Meanwhile, if the net doesn’t deploy just so, the cubes could bounce off the cleanup satellite and end up in a worse spot than before.
The team rejected several capture options, including articulated arms with claws and a “tentacle” scheme. It settled on a cone-shaped net that unfolds and closes back down, saying “this system is more reliable and offers a larger margin for maneuvering than a claw or an articulated hand.” After the Clean Space One satellite gobbles up all the cubes, it will de-orbit and burn everything up on the way back down to earth. The team has now passed the prototype phase and hopes to develop the first engineering models, with the aim of launching the space junk collection satellite by 2018.
Filed under: Science
Source: EPFL
Google’s Waze testing carpooling program in Israel
Google’s navigation subsidiary Waze is getting into the carpooling business via a pilot program in Israel, according to Reuters. The application, called RIdeWith, will use the company’s traffic reporting system to figure out popular routes and match drivers with users going the same direction. Unlike contentious ridesharing services from Lyft and Uber, however, Waze’s program won’t allow drivers to earn a salary. Instead, they can only claim two trips a day, and collect just enough from riders to cover gas and vehicle wear-and-tear.
Both Lyft and Uber have also been testing a form of carpooling, but both just allow riders on the same route to split the cost of a regular fare. By contrast, Waze’s service sounds more like UK’s Carpooling.com, letting fellow drivers share the exact cost of a ride and no more. Waze didn’t give any other details like what kind of fee (if any) it’s collecting, and just said it’s “conducting a small private test in the greater Tel Aviv area.” It added that it might be hard to find a ride in Tel Aviv at first, but that the problem should ease as new drivers sign on. Google acquired Waze some two years ago for an estimated $1 billion.
[Image credit: RonAlmog/Flickr]
Filed under: Transportation, Google
Source: Reuters
Amazon ‘Prime Day’ sale will be like “Black Friday” for Prime customers
Amazon is turning 20 on July 15th and is celebrating the occasion with a global shopping event for Prime customers. The ‘Prime Day’ sale will offer Black Friday-like discounts and lightning deals for Prime subscribers as Amazon aims to tempt more customers to join its annual Prime subscription service.
‘Prime Day’ will be open to Prime subscribers in all nine countries – US, UK, Spain, Japan, Italy, Germany, France, Canada and Austria – and Amazon say it will offer “more deals than Black Friday” on July 15th. The sale kicks off at Midnight PST and will last for twenty four hours; some deals will launch as ‘Deal of the day’ while others will be lightning deals that change as often as every ten minutes.
Amazon in video:
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Amazon hasn’t specified which products will be on sale but the company does offer a range of products including electronics, toys, movies, clothing and more will all be on offer in the sale. If you’re not already an Amazon member, you’ll need to stump up and give Jeff Bezos $99/£79 to be eligible to take part in the sale or you know, sign up for a free 30-day trial.
Amazon Prime currently offers free next day delivery (including weekends) on thousands of items and Prime membership also includes the ability to stream millions of means through Amazon Instant Video along with one hour delivery in selected cities through Amazon Prime Now. If you were looking for another reason to become a Prime member, the ‘Prime Day’ sale may be worth the subscription fee.
Samsung’s next Tizen phone may be more upmarket
The Tizen OS powered Samsung Z1 has been selling rather well in the few markets where it is available. Therefore would shouldn’t be too surprised to hear that a successor could be in the works, and industry insiders are suggesting that the next Tizen smartphone, tentatively named the Samsung Z3 (SM-Z300H), will feature slightly more upmarket hardware specifications.
According to the report, the Samsung Z3 will feature a 5-inch HD Super AMOLED display, 1.5GB of RAM and will be powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core Spreadtrum SC7730S SoC, which is a decent jump that should put the handset closer to the middle tier of the market.
Other internals include 8GB of storage space, an 8MP rear camera with LED flash, 5MP front facing camera, a 2,600mAh battery, and dual-SIM compatibility. The Z3 apparently sizes up at 141.5 x 70 x 9.5 mm and will weigh approximately 140 grams. The phone is also said to feature an updated Tizen 2.4 operating system.
Recently, Samsung announced that it would be releasing a Gold Edition of the Z1 smartphone, to celebrate over 1 million units sold so far. The smartphone was also the best-selling phone in Bangladesh back in Q1 and has continued to exceed sales expectations thanks to its low price point.
Pricing details for the Z3 were not included in the rumor, but we can probably expect a slightly higher price point to accompany the improved specifications. We’ll have to see if this new handset can continue to appeal to the entry-level market. The next Tizen smartphone is expected to launch sometime in the second half of 2015.
Samsung starts rolling out the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update for the Note 4 in Russia
Samsung has finally begun rolling out the much-anticipated Lollipop update to all unlocked variants of its flagship phablet, the Galaxy Note 4, located in Russia. As for as added functionality goes, this upgrade transports the latest build of the Android operating system to the handset, in addition to a truckload of bug fixes and stability improvements.
All the changes you’d expect to find in the Lollipop software are bundled into this upgrade, including support for multiple accounts, improved notifications, stronger 256-bit encryption, a smoother multitasking experience and the recently-announced Material Design guidelines.
As usual, the upgrade is being rolled out in stages, but if you don’t feel like waiting for a notification confirming that it’s ready for your device to hit your unit, you could always search for the update manually.
To do so simply open the Settings app, scroll to the bottom and tap on “About Device”, hit “System Updates”, then select “Check for updates”. Once done, the upgrade will start downloading from Samsung’s servers.
Come comment on this article: Samsung starts rolling out the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update for the Note 4 in Russia
Google launches its first Android One smartphone in Pakistan
Earlier today, Google launched its latest Android One smartphone in Pakistan. The QMobile A1 is available to purchase right now from the Play Store in either black or white for 11,500 PKR ($110).
With regards to internals, the handset packs a 4.5-inch IPS display, a 1.3GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable internal storage, a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 1,700mAh battery.
Straight out of the box, the QMobile A1 runs the latest version of Android (Lollipop 5.1.1), so users have access to the new Material Design user interface, smarter notifications and quick access to data controls.
If you’re based in Pakistan, like the sound of the QMobile A1 and would like to pick one up — hit the source link below.
Source: Google
Come comment on this article: Google launches its first Android One smartphone in Pakistan
T-Mobile pushes out Lollipop update for the LG Leon & G Stylo
T-Mobile is now distributing the long-awaited Android 5.1.1 update to all LG Leon’s and G Stylo’s in the United States. This upgrade transports the functionality of Lollipop, an improved battery life and better performance to the handsets.
Hit the break for the full changelog.
- Material Design: You will quickly notice a whole new colorful look and feel to your device – from fluid animations to new application and system themes, colors and widgets.
- Notifications UI & Priorities: In order to alert you to the most timely and relevant information, the format and behavior of notifications have evolved:
- notifications will appear on the lock screen and are intelligently ranked by type and who sent them.
- you double-tap to open one, swipe left or right to clear one, or clear all notifications from the bottom of the list.
- you can set the priority and privacy of notifications for each application.
- very high priority notifications will pop up briefly over other applications so that you can take action.
- when you dismiss a notification on one device it will be dismissed on your other Android devices, if they are connected to the Internet.
- you can further tailor how notifications behave with the new Downtime and Ambient Display settings (see below).
- New Interruptions & Downtime Settings: You can tailor how interruptions behave, choosing to allow all, none, or only priority interruptions. You can personalize what counts as a priority interruption (reminders, events, calls, messages) and even tailor them to be from only contacts you specify. The Downtime setting will allow only priority interruptions during the times and days that you specify. e.g. allow only priority interruptions on the weekend.
- Recent Apps (Multi-tasking): The redesigned Overview space (formerly called Recents) will include both applications and separate activities within those applications. For instance, each open tab in Chrome will also appear here along with recent applications; both your Gmail Inbox and a draft email message will appear as separate cards. This provides a consistent way to switch amongst tasks.
- Flashlight: Lollipop includes a new flashlight option as part of Quick settings (swipe down with two fingers from the status bar to see it).
- Pin a view/app: Screen pinning allows you to keep a specific app or screen in view. For example, you can ‘pin’ a game and your child will not be able to navigate anywhere else on your phone.
- Battery: The Battery settings panel now shows an estimated projection for how much time you have left while discharging or charging. You can also enable a new battery saver mode that will save power by reducing performance and most background data operations to extend your battery life.
- Smarter Internet Connections: With Android Lollipop, your phone will not connect to a Wi-Fi access point unless there is a verified Internet connection. This feature improves hand-offs between Wi-Fi and cellular connections, helping to maintain your video chat or voice-over-IP (VoIP) call as you switch.
- Performance: Your phone now uses the new Android Runtime to help optimize application performance. After upgrading to Lollipop, your applications will undergo a one-time optimization process. Note that the optimization for ART requires more space.
- Security: Encryption can now use a stronger 256-bit key to help protect your data. Note that the stronger key willonly be used after you perform a factory reset on Android Lollipop. Otherwise encryption will continue to use 128-bit key. You can turn on encryption in the Security settings menu.
As is customary with all manufacturer updates, the upgrade is being rolled out in stages, but if you don’t feel like waiting for a notification confirming that it’s ready for your device to hit your unit, you could always search for the update manually. To do so simply follow the four steps below:
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll to the bottom and tap on “About Device”
- Hit “System Updates”
- Tap on “Check for update”
Come comment on this article: T-Mobile pushes out Lollipop update for the LG Leon & G Stylo
Samsung UK announces that the Galaxy S3 and Note 2 will not receive the Lollipop update
Samsung UK took to its Twitter account over the weekend to confirm rumors that it has no intention of rolling out the Android 5.1 Lollipop update to the Galaxy S3’s and Note 2’s in the region. The handsets will, instead, remain on Android 4.4.2 KitKat.
Unfortunately, the South Korean company has not given a reason for its decision, but we assume it’s because it’s been struggling to make the operating system run smoothly on the somewhat outdated hardware theses devices pack.
It’s important to note that this tweet does not cover other markets. Samsung has already confirmed that owners of the Note 2 will receive the Lollipop update in Finland and Poland in the not-too-distant future.
Are you disappointed with Samsung’s decision to skip Lollipop on the Galaxy S3 and Note 2 in the UK? Please let us know your thoughts in the section below.
Source: Samsung UK (Twitter)
Come comment on this article: Samsung UK announces that the Galaxy S3 and Note 2 will not receive the Lollipop update
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