Android Pay is coming to the UK ‘in the next few months’

While iPhone users have been enjoying Apple Pay, Android adopters in the UK have been left twiddling their thumbs, or experimenting with alternatives like Barclays’ bPay. Android Pay launched in the US last September, but Google has said little about a global release. Well, today that’s finally changing. The search giant says its service will launch in Britain “soon,” or specifically “in the next few months.” It certainly won’t be this month, anyway. Payments are handled over NFC, meaning the app will work anywhere that contactless payments are currently accepted. That includes Boots, Costa Coffee and the Tube network in London.

To use Android Pay, you’ll need to link a compatible Mastercard, Visa credit or debit card. At launch, this will include those issued by the Bank of Scotland, First Direct, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, M&S Bank, MBNA and Nationwide Building Society. The biggest omission from that list? Barclays. The bank, which is considered one of the “big four” in the UK, still doesn’t support Apple Pay, and seems equally lackadaisical about Google’s rival service. It’s frustrating but perhaps unsurprising, given that the company is trying to promote its own bPay platform and wearables instead.

Google has promised that new banks will be added “all the time,” however.

Android Pay acts as a digital wallet, so users will be able to use their account as a payment method for third-party apps such as Deliveroo, YPlan and JD Sports. It should be a one-tap process, removing the need to submit your bank card details every time you complete a purchase.

Until now, Apple has enjoyed a huge head start over Google in the UK. Android Pay’s delayed launch might not matter, however, given that the two services are exclusive to separate mobile operating systems. Consequentially, there are plenty of Brits that own an Android phone and haven’t used a mobile payments platform yet. Google does, therefore, still have a huge potential user base to aim for. Furthermore, contactless payments — and specifically, paying with your phone — is now a familiar and natural behaviour for Brits. That should make Android Pay easier to market and, in the process, improve its chances of being adopted.

Source: Android (Blog Post)

iOS Users in Japan Gain Apple Maps ‘Nearby’ Feature

Apple has extended the ‘Nearby’ feature in its iOS Maps app to serve users in Japan, bringing access to local points of interest such as bars, restaurants, health services and shopping centers.

AppleInsider reports that ‘Nearby’ is now active across the country, despite Apple having not yet updated its Maps feature availability web page to reflect the change. Apple reportedly introduced ‘Nearby’ to Japanese customers last December, but soon pulled the feature for unknown reasons.

‘Nearby’ lets users search Apple Maps based on categories such as Food, Drinks, Shopping, Travel, Services, Fun, Health and Transport, while each category can be searched deeper for specific places.

Nearby categories such as Food, Fun, Shopping and Travel can also be accessed from the Spotlight Search menu on iOS 9.

The location-based feature first appeared on mobile devices in the U.S. and China with the release of iOS 9 in September. A month later, ‘Nearby’ was extended to Australia, Canada, France and Germany. Finland, Netherlands and the UK soon followed, making Japan the tenth country to receive the localized feature.

Related Roundup: iOS 9
Tags: Apple Maps, Nearby
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Spotify heading to Indonesia; may debut in Japan and India

Spotify is all set to launch in Indonesia by the end of March, and it looks like the streaming service is set to continue its Asia expansion by debuting in Japan and India in the coming months.

HALO INDONESIA!!! #WaktunyaSpotify pic.twitter.com/D0YxEJiQxt

— Spotify Indonesia (@SpotifyID) March 20, 2016

According to TechCrunch, the music streaming service is looking to make its debut in the Japanese market shortly, with an exploratory interest in India.

The Indian market will be challenging to break into, as local offerings Saavn and Gaana lead the music streaming space. Apple Music also launched in the country last year, offering its paid subscription service for just ₹120 ($1.8) a month, albeit with a limited catalog of content. Saavn offers a wider selection of Bollywood music when compared to Spotify, but the latter wins out when it comes to international music. With Saavn Pro costing ₹99 ($1.5) a month, it will be interesting to see how Spotify prices its premium plan in India, as that’ll determine its market update initially.

Sony PlayStation VR bundle is a hit, sells out in just minutes on Amazon

The future of gaming may very well be in virtual reality and Sony is joining the charge with its VR headset that’s proving very popular. Within minutes of the PlayStation VR bundle going up for pre-order on Amazon.com, it was sold out.

While the PlayStation VR headset alone doesn’t go up for pre-order until 29 March in the US, the PlayStation VR Launch Bundle appeared on 22 March. Within minutes of that appearance it was sold out, suggesting when the VR headset becomes available it’ll be a rush to get one.

This applies to the US only and Amazon only. It could show popularity but may also simply point to Amazon holding back stock in order to fuel excitement ahead of the core headset release.

The PlayStation VR is still available on Amazon.co.uk and can be also found in other stores. Shipping is expected to begin in October.

The advantage of buying the bundle is you’ll get everything you need for a fully immersive VR experience. That means the headset, cables, stereo headphones, camera, two Move controllers and VR demo disc plus VR Worlds disc. Buying just the VR headset may not deliver the full experience.

If you want to get the headset and accessories without shelling out full price there are alternatives, check out the feature below to find out more.

READ: How to get ready for PlayStation VR on the cheap

Intel is officially slowing down the pace of CPU releases

To make consumers crave its next generation of CPUs, Intel has produced chips on a yearly tick-tock cycle for the last decade. Thanks to the shrinking die sizes, that process may permanently become a three-step, according to financial documents spotted by Motley Fool. The company has already had significant issues going from 22- to 14-nanometers, and it extended the latter to a third generation with “Kaby Lake” chips. That was the first break from tick-tock, but Intel has now confirmed that the longer rhythm, which it calls “process, architecture, optimization (PAO)” will continue for its upcoming 10-nanometer chips.

During “tick” years, the chip giant upgraded its manufacturing technology to make circuits smaller — for its latest chips, for instance, the tick cycle reduced traces from 22- to 14-nanometers. During “tock” years, it uses the same circuit size and manufacturing technique, but changes the microcode, often drastically, to make chips faster and more energy efficient.

While Intel said that the latest 14-nanometer chips were on a “2.5 year cycle,” it plans to introduce three different 10-nanometer chips yearly. With the three-step PAO, that slows the pace of innovation by effectively a third, meaning consumers will have to wait an extra year before they see significant speed improvements. The third year of a chip’s life cycle will likely see smaller performance gains, giving power users and gamers — who have become critical customers — less reason to upgrade.

The new process is a direct result of the difficulty in building chips with traces that are just 20 silicon atoms wide. “We expect to lengthen the amount of time we will utilize our 14nm and our next generation 10nm process technologies, further optimizing our products and process technologies while meeting the yearly market cadence for product introductions,” according to the document.

While competitors like Samsung are closing the technology gap, Intel has maintained that it will introduce 10-nanometer chips before its competitors. Furthermore, it says that “this competitive advantage will be extended in the future as the costs to build leading-edge fabrication facilities increase.” In other words, Intel believes that building chips is becoming so difficult technically that very few others will be able to keep up. However, one of its biggest competitors, TSMC, plans to produce 5-nanometer chips by 2020.

Via: Motley Fool

Source: Intel (PDF)

iOS 9.3 brings international WiFi calling to iPhones on AT&T

If you’ve been waiting for AT&T’s WiFi calling service to start working outside the US, you may want to install iOS 9.3 on your iPhone right now. It won’t only bring Night Shift to your device, but also the ability to call from other countries without incurring additional charges. So long as the feature has been toggled on in Settings, and you’re calling another phone with WiFi calling enabled, you can make or receive calls abroad even if you barely have coverage. If you dial an international number, though, you’ll have to pay your plan’s usual rates.

It’s definitely a welcome upgrade, but note that the feature only works with the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus and, when it’s released, SE running Apple’s latest mobile platform. Besides updating its WiFi calling service, AT&T now allows iPads and Macs connected to your iPhones via Numbersync to make calls on a cellular connection.

[Thanks, Vladimir Pimentel]

Source: AT&T

Sony brings PS2 classics ‘Manhunt’ and Bully’ to the PS4

It was a big deal when Sony introduced PS2 backward-compatibility on the PlayStation 4 with the launch of Star Wars: Battlefront, but it’s already old hat, apparently. With its latest PlayStation Store update, the company released Rockstar titles Bully and Manhunt without a lot of fanfare. As before, the games get “full 1080p up-rendering and enhanced features such as trophies, shareplay, remote play, activity feeds and second screen support for game manuals with ‘PS Vita’ or PS App.” That means you’ll get nearly the same experience as on a PS2, though Sony adds that “some features may not function properly.”

Both titles were notorious when released, with Bully getting the dreaded “Teen” rating and Manhunt featuring “ultraviolent” scenes. The latter title came to the PSN network in 2013, so it’s not the first time it’s been resurrected. If you want to see what passed for “controversial” back in 2006, you can pick up both titles for $15 apiece.

Source: Sony

Top 38 Viners to follow (and become instantly addicted to Vine)

Let’s be real here: Vine is addicting.

You open the mobile app or go to the website, thinking you’ll only watch a few video clips, and then suddenly it is two hours later. So, what makes Twitter’s 6-second video service so addictive? The Viners.

The talent on Vine, also known as Viners, are up-and-coming comedians, actors, musicians, and sometimes just the person next door with a little too much time on his or her hands. Viners will prank people, dress in costumes, concoct fake personas, spawn memes, collaborate with other Viners, and do just about anything to hit that Popular Now section on Vine.

Sometimes, though, there are a few duds that make it to the top. At any given moment, you could open Vine and scroll through a tonne of Vines made by people simply trying too hard. If you want to skip past all the snooze-worthy Vines and Viners, check out the gallery above. Pocket-lint has compiled the top Viners – and even some honourable mentions.

Keep in mind you’ll likely want to look at these Viners’ entire back-catalogue of Vines after you’re done checking out this list. And that will take hours. But it’ll be hours well spent. Welcome to Vine…and the start of a horrible addiction.

Sony’s Life Space UX smarthome range: What is it and when can you buy it?

Sony in 2014 unveiled an ambitious concept called Life Space UX, with the purpose of transforming a typical room in your house into a smart space for exceptional, even interactive experiences.

The company showed Pocket-lint at CES 2014 in Las Vegas a few Life Space UX examples. The tour included an apartment-type setup filled with interactive lights, minimalist speakers, app-controlled projectors, and other internet-connected devices. One of the star gadgets was the Glass Sound Speaker, which uses lighting and sound to create an experience of the future.

It’s been well over a year since Sony showed off several Life Space UX products, so now you may be wondering what’s happening with all that. Well, some of them have long been for sale, and in fact, the latest products in Sony’s aspirational Life Space UX range of home electronics have just been assigned prices and release dates. We’ve detailed everything you need to know below.

Sony Life Space UX: What is it?

All the marketing lingo aside, Life Space UX is Sony’s new range of smart accessories. The range mostly consists of lights, speakers, and projectors. Each product is designed for the home, very minimalist in appearance, and meant to make everyday lives smarter and simpler than ever before. Now, many of these products are considered prototypes and are not yet available to buy.

Sony Life Space UX: What products are in the range?

4K Ultra Short Throw ProjectorAvailability: US, Europe, and JapanPrice: $50,000Where to buy: Sony

This aluminium projector looks like one long cabinet you’d place up against a wall. But it actually features a modular design integrated into a single unit (two cabinets, two speakers, and one projector). The projector sits in the middle and closes flat when not in use, while the speakers on either side of it eliminate exposed cords, and the cabinets at both ends are capable of storage.

With the 4K Ultra Short Throw projector, you can display anywhere from a 66-inch to a 147-inch image or video onto your wall . Because the cabinet sits near a wall, shadows won’t interfere with the projection, and you get an immersive, visually stunning experience. Also, the projector is equipped with SXRD panels, so it boasts four times the resolution of Full HD.

Portable Ultra Short Throw ProjectorAvailability: Japan (13 February), US (May 2016)Price: ¥93,000/$199Where to buy: MoMA Store in the US

The Portable Ultra Short Throw Projector is a tiny projector that can display an image or video onto a wall or any other surface from a short distance – hence the name. It’s basically a more portable version of the larger 4K projector (measures 81mm x 131mm x 131mm). This version is also a battery-powered device and lasts two hours on a charge.

It can project an autofocused 1366 x 768 image of 100 lumens and between 22 inches and 80 inches. The unit also comes with HDMI input, but it works with Bluetooth Low Energy so you can play media from a smartphone when the two devices are near one another. Another cool feature is that it comes with an optional, very futuristic-looking stand.

Glass Sound SpeakerAvailability: Japan (13 February), US (May 2016)Price: ¥74,000/$799Where to buy: MoMA Store in the US

Sony’s Glass Sound Speaker is basically just like the Symphonic Light speaker we saw hanging from the ceiling at CES 2014, though Sony isn’t marketing this version as a ceiling light. It’s a 360-degree Bluetooth speaker encompassed by a glass tube. The lighting tech is stuffed into the base and around the rim, allowing the gadget to emit not only sound but luminance.

LED Bulb SpeakerAvailability: Japan and US (May 2016)Price: ¥23,880/$239Where to buy: Sony Japan or MoMA Store in the US

Sony unleashed its LED Light Bulb Speaker in Japan last year. It’s doubles as a Bluetooth speaker and screws into any bulb fitting to give your living space simultaneous light and sound. It’s a multi-function gadget that provides up to 360-lumens of app-controlled brightness, as well as an integrated 2 Watt speaker system that’s ideal for filling small spaces.

It connects to your phone via Bluetooth and comes with a NFC remote.

Sony Life Space UX: Are there any unreleased concepts?

Sony

Sony’s Life Space UX website showcases concept models too. The company has previewed them at shows but doesn’t have a time for commercial production. They’re called Ceiling Screen, Tabletop Screen, and Wall Mount Display. The Ceiling screen is a short-throw projector, but it’s meant for displaying images and video on the ceiling and offers integrated speakers to boot.

Sony

The Tabletop Screen is a compact laser projector that hangs over a surface, such as a table, and it actually turns that surface into a touchscreen. You can use it to share photos and music, as well as play games, and more. We saw this demonstrated at CES 2014 and thought it was the coolest thing. As for that third gadget, it’s a discreet touch display that mounts to the wall. Simples.

Check out Pocket-lint’s tour of the Sony Life Space UX booth to see what else the company has in the works in terms of concept products.

Want to know more?

Check out our Sony Life Space UX hub for all the latest news and reviews.

NASA’s Dawn mission offers a closer look at the dwarf planet Ceres

If New Horizons is providing us tons of info about Pluto, the Dawn mission is helping us get to know Ceres a lot better. NASA has released new photos and information that the Dawn spacecraft took and gathered in its lowest orbit around the dwarf planet. They’ve recently found that the brightest area on the celestial body, a spot smack-dab in the center of the Occator Crater, has a dome inside a smooth-walled pit. You can see an image of the area above, which the agency enhanced to highlight the color differences of Ceres’ surface.

The scientists think those white, vein-like growths inside the pit could indicate geologic activity in the “recent past,” which still means a few million years ago or so. Dawn’s other images also show that Ceres doesn’t have as many large impact craters as scientists thought, and that there’s one particular crater called Haulani that’s composed of different materials than the rest of the dwarf planet.

Besides taking photos, the spacecraft used its Gamma Ray and Neutron Detector (GRaND) to measure Ceres’ elemental composition. The instrument detected fewer neutrons near its poles, indicating a big amount of hydrogen concentration. It’s a possible proof that there’s ice — the same ice made of water we’re used to — in its polar regions. NASA discusses these findings (and more) in the video below, while showing more photos of the largest object in the asteroid belt.

Source: NASA (1), (2)