Scrolling Changes Coming to Mobile Safari in Future Update

Apple is planning to make some changes to scrolling behavior in mobile Safari in a future update, making for a more unified scrolling experience.

The news comes courtesy of a Hacker News thread discussing Apple’s default scrolling behavior vs. the scrolling behavior of webpages that use Google AMP, a discussion inspired by a Daring Fireball post on the subject.

Google AMP (or Accelerated Mobile Pages), for those unfamiliar, is an online publishing format created by Google that’s optimized for mobile web browsing and rapid page loading. It is used by multiple news sites, including CNN, ABC, and The Washington Post. On mobile Safari, AMP uses its own scrolling behavior, making AMP pages stand out from non-AMP pages.

In the Hacker News discussion, Malte Ubl, who created Google AMP, says the AMP team filed a bug report about the scrolling discrepancy, and as a result, Apple is going to implement a change that makes all webpages scroll like AMP pages.

With respect to scrolling: We (AMP team) filed a bug with Apple about that (we didn’t implement scrolling ourselves, just use a div with overflow). We asked to make the scroll inertia for that case the same as the normal scrolling.

Apple’s response was (surprisingly) to make the default scrolling like the overflow scrolling. So, with the next Safari release all pages will scroll like AMP pages.

Another Hacker News responder, “Om2,” who appears to work on WebKit, explains that Safari webpage scrolling is inconsistent from all other scrolling, an intentional decision implemented several years ago. Following a review of scrolling rates, Apple has decided to implement a change to introduce a more consistent scrolling experience.

In current iOS Safari, webpage scrolling is inconsistent from all other scrolling on the system. This was an intentional decision made long ago. In addition, overflow areas are consistent with the rest of the system, and thus inconsistent with top-level webpage scrolling. This is semi-accidental. In reviewing scroll rates, we concluded that the original reason was no longer a good tradeoff. Thus this change, which removed all the inconsistencies: https://trac.webkit.org/changeset/211197/webkit

Having all scrolling be consistent feels good once you get used to it.

At the current time, the difference between scrolling on an AMP page and a standard webpage is noticeable, with the AMP pages scrolling faster and more smoothly. It’s not entirely clear when the scrolling change will be implemented in mobile Safari, as the new scrolling behavior is not available in the current iOS 10.3.3 beta.

Related Roundup: iOS 10
Tag: Safari
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Debuts Revamped ‘Switch’ Site to Lure Android Users to iPhone [Update: New Videos Added]

Apple today debuted an overhauled webpage aimed at encouraging Android users to switch to the iPhone, introducing a simpler FAQ-style site that highlights iPhone features and makes it clear how simple it is to switch from an Android device to an iPhone.

Apple previously had a webpage dedicated to customers coming to an iPhone from Android devices, but it featured less information on the iPhone itself and focused primarily on the Move to iOS app, a dedicated app that helps Android users transfer contacts, message history, photos, mail accounts, calendars, and more.

The new site, while featuring a section on Move to iOS, also attempts to lure Android users with details on the iPhone’s camera and its processor, along with information on Apple Pay, Apple’s privacy policy, the Messages app, Apple’s commitment to the environment, and Apple Support.

The site, which features clever animations and a simple design that’s quick to scroll through, ends with an iPhone comparison chart and direct links to purchase iPhones from Apple’s current lineup, including the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6s, and iPhone SE.

Apple continues to see a growing number of customers who are switching to the iPhone from an Android device, which Apple CEO Tim Cook covers in nearly every earnings call. During the second quarter earnings call in early May, Cook had this to say: “We saw the largest absolute number of switchers outside of Greater China that we’ve ever seen in the same period.”

Update: To go along with the new site, Apple has uploaded a series of 16 second videos on its YouTube channel. Each video (there are five in total) highlights how easy it is to switch from Android to iPhone with the Move to iOS app or points out iPhone features like speed and privacy.

Tag: Android
Discuss this article in our forums

YouTube TV App for iOS Devices Gains Support for AirPlay

YouTube TV, the streaming television service that launched in April, was today updated with support for AirPlay, allowing video streamed from the iPhone or the iPad to be played on an Apple TV.

The service has been available on the iPad and the iPhone through a YouTube TV app since it launched, but YouTube has not yet made an app available on the Apple TV.

Prior to today, Chromecast was the only way to broadcast content from the app to a television set, but with AirPlay support, YouTube TV content is also available through the Apple TV.

Priced at $35, YouTube TV is only available in a limited number of cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

YouTube TV is a standalone streaming service that’s focused on a mobile first experience, and it is separate from the YouTube Red premium service. It includes access to ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CW, Disney, ESPN, FX, USA, and dozens of other major cable channels, alongside standard YouTube video content. Premium channels like Showtime are available for an additional fee.

For customers who want to try YouTube TV, the service includes a one-month free trial. YouTube TV can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Tag: YouTube
Discuss this article in our forums

LG’s affordable, rugged Venture X smartphone is heading to AT&T

Why it matters to you

If you need an affordable smartphone that will survive accidental drops and bumps, LG’s Venture X doesn’t seem like a bad option.

Sometimes, you don’t need a high-end smartphone with more bells and whistles than you can shake a stick at. Luckily, affordable, no-frills phones aren’t that hard to come by, and LG’s among the manufacturers leading the charge. Case in point: The LG Venture X, a budget phone coming exclusively to AT&T.

“AT&T is the only place to get your LG X venture with unlimited entertainment on a full HD screen,” Jeff Bradley, senior vice president of AT&T, said in a statement. “With this device you can confidently stream your favorite shows on a shatter-resistant Full HD Gorilla Glass screen surrounded by a resilient metal frame and a non-slip design. This smartphone is in step with your on-the-go lifestyle without you compromising design, battery, or features.”

The LG Venture X’s angular, textured body won’t win any design awards, but manages to cram midrange hardware into a compact package. The Venture X boasts a 5.2-inch FHD (1920 x 1080 pixels) Gorilla Glass-shielded screen and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 435 processor, plus 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. Two cameras — one 16MP camera on the rear and 5MP on the front —  handle picture-taking duties, and a fingerprint sensor secures your personal files and photos from wandering eyes.

The Venture X’s durable, too. It can with stand 14 different military toughness tests, and it’s IP68 rated, meaning it can survive water up to a depth of 30 meters for five minutes. The Venture X’s 4,100mAh battery can charge quickly — up to 100 percent capacity in as few as two hours. And it ships with LG’s Outdoor Essentials app, which packs a compass, barometer, exercise tracker, activity counter, weather report, flashlight, and more.

Business customers can take advantage of the Venture X’s Push-to-Talk feature, which makes it possible to connect quickly to contacts over a cellular connection or Wi-Fi.

“Today’s consumers want a phone that looks great, doesn’t skimp on features and can easily handle their on-the-go lifestyle,” Juno Cho, president of LG, said in a press release. “Whether you’re an adventurist who needs a phone tough enough to be your sidekick on demanding hikes and record-setting workouts, or a multi-tasker who wants a phone that can withstand the curveballs and surprises each day may throw at you, the LG X venture was built to ensure you can feel unstoppable and look good doing it.”

The Venture X will hit AT&T’s airwaves on May 26. It’ll be available for as little as $11 per month for AT&T Next customers.

Stingray phone tracker used to locate man living in country illegally

Why it matters to you

This implementation of a Stingray device demonstrates how emerging technology tends to trickle down through the hierarchy of U.S. law enforcement agencies.

It’s being reported that agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the FBI have used a Stingray to track an undocumented individual who was living in Michigan. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has described this usage of the technology as “novel,” prompting concerns that it could potentially be misused in a way that infringes upon civil liberties.

Stingray has become something of a catch-all terms for cell-site simulators, even though it started out as branding for a particular product developed by the Harris Corporation. It works by fooling phones into thinking it’s a standard cell tower, which causes the devices to share information related to the identity and location of its owner.

FBI and ICE operatives used a Stingray device to track the whereabouts of a man from El Salvador who was working at a restaurant in Michigan, according to a report from Engadget. The man had been deported twice in the past, and investigators obtained a warrant before utilizing the hardware, so there’s not much cause for complaint regarding the way this particular investigation played out. However, it does perhaps signal that the Stingray is set to become more widely used across all levels of law enforcement.

Stingrays were originally designed for the military, and then used by federal investigators to track terrorists. Last year, local law enforcement began adopting the technology, a move that was criticized in a report published by the U.S. House of Representatives.

At present, there’s a gray area when it comes to situations where it’s appropriate for law enforcement to utilize a Stingray device. In February 2017, a bill known as the Cell Location Privacy Act was submitted, with the intention of setting a requirement for a probable cause warrant before the hardware could be employed. However, the bill has not been passed as of the time of writing.

Stingray phone tracker used to locate man living in country illegally

Why it matters to you

This implementation of a Stingray device demonstrates how emerging technology tends to trickle down through the hierarchy of U.S. law enforcement agencies.

It’s being reported that agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the FBI have used a Stingray to track an undocumented individual who was living in Michigan. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has described this usage of the technology as “novel,” prompting concerns that it could potentially be misused in a way that infringes upon civil liberties.

Stingray has become something of a catch-all terms for cell-site simulators, even though it started out as branding for a particular product developed by the Harris Corporation. It works by fooling phones into thinking it’s a standard cell tower, which causes the devices to share information related to the identity and location of its owner.

FBI and ICE operatives used a Stingray device to track the whereabouts of a man from El Salvador who was working at a restaurant in Michigan, according to a report from Engadget. The man had been deported twice in the past, and investigators obtained a warrant before utilizing the hardware, so there’s not much cause for complaint regarding the way this particular investigation played out. However, it does perhaps signal that the Stingray is set to become more widely used across all levels of law enforcement.

Stingrays were originally designed for the military, and then used by federal investigators to track terrorists. Last year, local law enforcement began adopting the technology, a move that was criticized in a report published by the U.S. House of Representatives.

At present, there’s a gray area when it comes to situations where it’s appropriate for law enforcement to utilize a Stingray device. In February 2017, a bill known as the Cell Location Privacy Act was submitted, with the intention of setting a requirement for a probable cause warrant before the hardware could be employed. However, the bill has not been passed as of the time of writing.

Prepaid carrier US Mobile looks to add Verizon coverage this summer

Why it matters to you

US Mobile was a solid and inexpensive prepaid mobile provider before, but with Verizon’s network it will become even better.

Mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs, are popular choices for wireless customers looking to get service on a budget, without tying themselves down with any long-term contracts or device payment plans. They’re separate companies that operate on major networks, which means they offer the same coverage of some of America’s largest wireless providers for a reduced cost.

US Mobile, an up-and-coming prepaid MVNO that has made news for its à la carte plans that allow you to pick and choose the precise amount of data, texting, and talk time you need, seems to be on the brink of a major partnership with Verizon.

Although the carrier’s website doesn’t specifically name its infrastructure partners, it is widely believed US Mobile uses T-Mobile’s towers — their coverage maps are identical. An update to the site says a launch on “America’s biggest and most dependable 4G LTE network” is coming in the summer, which points to Verizon. We have reached out to US Mobile for clarification.

Many MVNOs that consolidate multiple networks allow devices to switch between them on the fly — so if Verizon has better coverage in a given area than T-Mobile, the phone will default to Verizon’s network. And, in this case, US Mobile’s rates aren’t changing. So coverage improves ten-fold, while prices stay the same. In that sense, it’s a win-win.

US Mobile’s plans aren’t necessarily complicated, but they do offer a lot of choices. Customers have the option of anywhere from a paltry 100 MB of data for $2 a month, to 10GB for $30. On top of that, there’s talk and text. For calling, options range from 100 minutes for $3 to 1,500 minutes for $15. When it comes to texting, plans start at 100 messages for $2, and progress up to unlimited for $7.

Add in the $2 monthly service charge, and the highest allotment plan US Mobile offers comes in at $54. Not bad at all — though, as always with third-party prepaid carriers, there are some caveats to be mindful of.

Although MVNOs benefit from major network coverage, they don’t always offer major network speed. For example, some Verizon MVNOs, like StraightTalk and Tracfone, reportedly only deliver a max of 5Mbps download and 2Mbps upload. That’s significantly slower than the more than 30Mbps download some Verizon post-paid customers are now getting in certain parts of the country.

Furthermore, these customers also tend to miss out on some features, like voice over LTE, visual voicemail, and international roaming, depending on the company. US Mobile confirms on its website that it does not currently support the latter two features, though it does offer “competitive” international calling rates.

It is no surprise that you get what you pay for — but if you can live without the fastest speeds and certain features, companies like US Mobile offer reasonable service for rock-bottom prices. Check out our list of the best prepaid carriers you’ve never heard of to learn more.

Motorola Moto 360 (2015) review

Research Center:
Motorola Moto 360 (2015)

Update: We’ve updated our review of the Moto 360 in the wake of Android Wear 2.0 coming out and new competition, including (but not limited to) the ZTE Quartz watch. We’ve also added a section about the fitness-oriented version of the Moto 360, the Moto 360 Sport. By Kyle Wiggers.

When Google introduced Android Wear, it wasn’t the LG G Watch or the Samsung Gear Live that caught everyone’s attention: It was the Moto 360. Its round screen was revolutionary in 2014, and it was gorgeous. Motorola took that same iconic design and improved it with the 2015 Moto 360. It still doesn’t have a perfectly round screen, but it does deliver more fully on the potential of the first-generation Moto 360.

The Moto 360 2015 was one of the best Android Wear watches around two years ago, and one of the first to cater to both men and women with gender-specific design features. But a lot has changed, and competition is fiercer than ever. There’s the Huawei Watch 2, for example, which boasts incredible battery life, and the ZTE Quartz — one of the most affordable Android Wear watches yet.

The Moto 360 2015 isn’t as obvious a pick as it once was. Still, its gorgeous design keeps it competitive — albeit only barely.

Ladies, look no further than the 42mm Moto 360

As a woman and someone with a smaller wrist, I’ve been strapping on Android Wear smartwatches since they first came out, and each and every time I’ve been let down by such-and-such’s concept of “unisex” and “female friendly.” While the 42mm Moto 360 is still the size of a large Apple Watch, the way the lugs are angled allows it to fit on smaller wrists like mine. The circular shape of the watch face somewhat disguises the size, so even though it is the same measurement as the larger Apple Watch, it doesn’t look as massive. And when you compare it to the 46mm men’s version, it looks downright delicate.

Read more: 10 Moto 360 tips to help you make the most of your smartwatch

Although you may not be able to tell from the photos, the 42mm design actually does fit my ridiculously small wrists and it looks gorgeous. It’s the first Android Wear smartwatch that I’ve ever enjoyed wearing and the only one I’ve ever been complemented on. You see, from a distance when you just glance at it, the Moto 360 looks like a normal watch. Both male and female friends said they liked the way it looked on me better than the 38mm Apple Watch.

Jessica Lee Star/Digital Trends

Jessica Lee Star/Digital Trends

Jessica Lee Star/Digital Trends

Jessica Lee Star/Digital Trends

The Moto 360 is the first Android Wear smartwatch we can safely recommend to women, and it’s the first smartwatch that’s made me consider dumping the Apple Watch. Is the 42mm Moto 360 the perfect size? No. But its classic, thoughtful design makes it one of the best Android Wear watch options for women yet.

Motorola Moto 360 (2015) Compared To

LG Watch Sport

Huawei Fit

Apple Watch Series 2

Martian Passport MP100WSB

Garmin fenix 2

Meta M1 Watch

LG G Watch R

Netatmo June

Neptune Pine

Motorola Moto 360

Martian Notifier Watch

Samsung Gear 2

Phosphor Touch Time

Samsung Gear Fit

Basis B1

The Moto 360’s 42mm casing fits much more naturally on the wrist than the Huawei Watch 2 Classic, it’s closest cousin in terms of size. It’s also a lot more compact than competitors like the ZTE Quartz and LG Watch Sport, which both exceed 44mm in diameter.

The edges around the Moto 360’s screen are thinner, too, and the profile’s more slender. We also appreciate the angling of the lugs, which don’t wing over slim wrists like the ZTE Quartz. That’s not to say the Moto 360 isn’t thick — up close, you won’t mistake it for a mechanical watch anytime soon. But that’s a problem smartwatches in general have yet to conquer.

The Moto 360 is the first Android Wear watch we can safely recommend to women.

One of the best things about the new Moto 360 at launch was Moto Maker, a design tool that let you tailor the smartwatch to your specifications. You could choose the metal finish on the casing and the bezel, and texture of the watches edges, and the kind of band you wanted. Unfortunately, Motorola’s done away with the Moto Maker option for the Moto 360 — if you want a new watch, you’re restricted to pre-configured models.

Still, the Moto 360 is somewhat customizeable. The bands for the 42mm Moto 360 fit the 16mm standard, so you can buy your own online and they’ll fit.

You get a choice between a couple of different textures around the screen edges, so the metal isn’t too flashy. The textures are really subtle and classic, as are the color options of silver, gold, and rose gold.

Jessica Lee Star/Digital Trends

The watch faces are just as changeable as the watchbands. Many of the designs that ship with the Moto 360 allow you to alter the color palette if you don’t like the default combination, or tweak design elements. One of the coolest is a flower that was hand-painted by a member of the Women’s Collection design team. You can choose between a variety of different flower species, including roses, irises, poppies, lilies, and more.

Typical smartwatch specs

The first Moto 360 suffered from lag and poor battery life, but the new one doesn’t have those problems. It’s powered by a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 512MB of RAM, and 4GB of internal storage, which is was pretty much par for the course for Android Wear smartwatches back in 2015.

The Moto 360’s internals have since been surpassed by smartwatches like the Huawei Watch 2 and LG Watch Sport, which have Qualcomm’s newer Wear 2100 chip and 768MB of RAM. But beyond slightly more responsive menus and reduced loading times, the differences between them are tough to spot.

The 42mm women’s Moto 360 has a 1.37-inch screen with a 360 x 325 pixel resolution, while the men’s 46mm version has a 1.56-inch screen with a 360 x 330 pixel resolution. The two models also differ in terms of battery size, with a 300mAh battery inside the 42mm model, which really only lasts through one day. Just like the Apple Watch, by 11 p.m., you’ll need to pop it on the charger. The 400mAh battery inside the 46mm model is rated for two days of use, but we can’t say whether that’s accurate, because we only tested the 42mm version. Both charge with a wireless charger and connect to your phone via Bluetooth.

Smartwatch battery life hasn’t drastically improved since the Moto 360’s launch. In fact, the Moto 360’s battery life is comparable to newer Android Wear smartwatches such as the Hauwei Watch 2, which packs a 420mAh battery and lasts about a day and a half, and the LG Watch Sport, which has a 430mAh battery that averages about a day. Beyond exceptions like the ZTE Quartz, which packs a whopping 500mAh battery that lasts a day and a half, the Moto 360 doesn’t perform any worse — or better — than the competition.

The Moto 360’s screen, on the other hand, isn’t as competitive as it used to be. The Huawei Watch 2’s 1.2-inch screen has a resolution of 390 x 390 pixels, and the LG Watch Sport’s 1.38-inch screen sport has 480 x 480 pixels. And both are OLED compared to the Moto 360’s LCD, which means they’re generally brighter, more vibrant, and more power-efficient.

Read more: 5 common Moto 360 problems, and how to solve them

It’s worth noting that Android Wear smartwatches like the Moto 360 now work with iOS device like the iPhone — you’ll get notifications just like you would on your phone (more on that later).

Jessica Lee Star/Digital Trends

Jessica Lee Star/Digital Trends

Jessica Lee Star/Digital Trends

The new Moto 360 packs sensors including an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, gyroscope, and heart rate monitor. The heart rate monitor syncs up with the new Moto Body app, which gives words of encouragement and coaching throughout the day to help you reach your fitness goals. It’s similar to the Apple Watch’s little alerts, which we’ve always found motivating. We like it much better than the standard Android Wear fitness app.

Finally, thanks to a coating on the aircraft-grade 316L stainless steel casing of the Moto 360, the Moto 360 offers IP67 water resistance, so it’s be safe from small splashes. Motorola still cautions against swimming with it on, though.

Another option: The Moto 360 Sport

Moto 360 Sport

There’s another variant of the Moto 360, and it focuseson fitness: The Moto 360 Sport. Unlike the Moto 360 model, the 45mm Moto 360 Sport ships with a sweatproof silicon watchband and a 300mAh battery that lasts “a full day.

In terms of internals, the it’s pretty much identical to the other Moto 360 models. The Moto 360 Sport packs the same same 360 x 325-pixel screen as the women’s Moto 360, and the same 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, the same 512GB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage, and even the same accelerometer, ambient light, heart rate, and barometric pressure sensors.

Basically, the Moto 360 Sport’s meant for more “active” scenerios than the classic models. If you’re looking for a Moto 360 that’ll survive a jog or run relatively unscathed, it’s probably the one you want.

Android Wear on iOS and Android

Let’s get this out of the way: we’ve never been fond of Android Wear. All the swiping, the weird process for onboarding apps, the endlessly scrolling app menu, and the awkward appearance of notifications and “OK Google” marring my watch face – It all annoys us. We much prefer the app screen of the Apple Watch and its pull-down method of storing of notifications. Android Wear needs some serious help.

Android Wear 2.0 is an improvement, but the Moto 360, which launched with an older version of Android Wear, has yet to get it. That means it misses out on Android Wear 2.0’s streamlined interface, its widgets on the watch face, its stand-alone Google Play Store, and Google’s AI-powered Google Assistant. It also lacks Android Pay, Google’s tap-to-pay payments platform and an improved Google Fit app that automatically detects workouts.

Google and Motorola’s parent company, Lenovo, have both promised to update the Moto 360 to Android Wear 2.0 sometime this year. But so far, the update hasn’t come.

If you like Android Wear and you’re not into chunky watches, you’ll love the new Moto 360.

Having said that, the Moto 360’s older Android Wear isn’t all that bad. We went all in with Motorola for a few weeks using the new Moto X and Moto 360 together, and the experience was as good as it gets for first-generation Android Wear devices.

It’s OS is fantastic with Android phones, and works pretty much just as well with iPhones. A few iOS restrictions prevent Android Wear from integrating tightly with iPhones, so you won’t be able to do everything with your Android Wear watch that you can do if you’ve got an Android phone. And the list of apps that work with iOS and Android Wear is also still pretty limited. However, you can receive notifications from any app on your iPhone, which is great — you just can’t interact with most of them.

Android Wear 2.0 offers a much better experience with iOS — thanks mostly to the Google Play Store, which lets you search, download, and install apps independent of a smartphone.

Our Take

It’s not every day we see a smartwatch we actually like. In fact, there are only two smartwatches that really work for people with smaller wrists. The new 42mm women’s Moto 360 is one; the 38mm Apple Watch is the other. Of the two, the Moto 360 is prettier, but the Apple Watch is simpler and easier to use.

If you like Android Wear and you’re not into chunky watches, you’ll love the new Moto 360. It’s just the right size, and the new lugs are slimmer and more attractive than any you’ll find on the LG Watch Sport, Huawei Watch 2, or ZTE Quartz.

Is there a better alternative?

No. The Moto 360 was a great smartwatch in its time, but it’s since been outclassed by the competition. The processor is beginning to show its age, and the screen doesn’t compare very favorably with the LG Watch Sport and the Huawei Watch 2’s panels. The Moto 360 still has an attractive design, but it’s not enough to warrant a recommendation over newer Android Wear devices.

How long will it last?

It’s hard to believe the Moto 360 launched in 2015. It’s stood the test of time relatively well so far, and an update to the latest version of Android — Android 2.0 — should help. Unfortunately, despite repeated assurances from Google and Lenovo that the update is forthcoming, we’ve yet to see it.

Then there’s the fact that the Moto 360’s hardware isn’t as competitive as it once was — and that Motorola’s stopped selling it directly. Considering all that, we don’t expect the Moto 360 to last much more than a year from now.

Should you buy it?

No. In the end, smartwatch choices come down to looks, since most of them have the same insides and even the same OS onboard. In our eyes, the 2015 Moto 360 is still one of the best-looking Android Wear watch yet. However, the Moto 360 came out in 2015. It doesn’t have the newest, much improved version of Android Wear (yet), and its hardware is beginning to show age. That’s why we recommend considering one of the many, many alternatives. If you have a smaller wrist, you don’t have a lot of other options, unfortunately.

Highs

• First female-friendly Android Wear smartwatch
• Sublte, classic design
• Android Wear has come a long way

Lows

• No NFC or mobile payments
• Still stuck on Android Wear 1.0
• iOS support is limited

Review originally published Oct. 2, 2015.

Russian Android malware infects millions of phones, drains bank accounts

Why it matters to you

‘Cron’ malware used by Russian hackers to target bank accounts generated hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to reports.

Hackers used mobile malware to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from bank customers. That’s according to Reuters, which reported on May 22 that cybercriminals tricked Russian users of Google’s Android operating system into downloading malicious apps.

The group of 16 Russian hackers, operating under the code name “Cron” after the malware they used, disguised the malware as fake banking applications and pornography web clients. When Android users in Russia searched online, the search engine results would suggest the fake apps.

The core members of the group were arrested on November 22 last year, before they could mount attacks outside Russia. But according to Group-IB, the cyber security firm investigating the attack with the Russian Interior Ministry, the Cron group infected more than a million smartphones in Russia at a rate of 3,500 devices a day.

“Cron’s success was due to two main factors,” Dmitry Volkov, head of investigations at Group-IB, said in a statement. “First, the large-scale use of partner programs to distribute the malware in different ways. Second, the automation of many (mobile) functions which allowed them to carry out the thefts without direct involvement.”

They targeted customers of Sberbank, Alfa Bank, and online payments company Qiwi, exploiting SMS text message transfer services. The group sent texts from infected devices instructing the banks to transfer money to the hackers’ accounts — up to $120 to one of the 6,000 fraudulent accounts. And they intercepted the transaction confirmation codes, preventing the victims from receiving a messages notifying them about the transaction.

They’d planned to go after large European banks including French lenders Credit Agricole, BNP Paribas, and Societe General, according to Group-IB.

Cron malware, which was first detected in mid-2015, had been in use for more than a year before the arrests. The Russian hackers rented a “Tiny.z,” a piece of malware designed to attack checking accounts systems, for $2,000 a month in June 2016, and adapted it to target European banks in Britain, Germany, France, the United States, and Turkey, among other countries.

Lukas Stefanko, a malware researcher at cyber security firm ESET in Slovakia, told Reuters that the exploit highlighted the dangers of SMS messages in mobile banking.

“It’s becoming popular among developing nations or in the countryside where access to conventional banking is difficult for people,” he said. “For them it is quick, easy, and they don’t need to visit a bank … But security always has to outweigh consumer convenience.”

Living cells line this workout shirt to let it breathe better and keep you cool

Why it matters to you

Biohybrid technology can turn everyday objects into dynamic and responsive devices — including having your workout shirts keep you cool.

In the future, your clothes will be lined with living cells. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology developed Biologic, a biohybrid technology behind workout clothes that ventilate when a wearer sweats thanks to a lining of microbes.

“We found that microbial cells are sensitive to moisture change in the environment,” Wen Wang, a biotech researcher who led the study, told Digital Trends. “At dry condition, the cell shrinks to a smaller size, while at humid condition, it swells to a bigger size.”

Wang and his team used bioprinting to coat small flaps of latex with E. coli cells, creating a sandwich with microbes on the top and bottom, as they described in a recent paper published in the journal Science Advances. When exposed to heat or moisture, the cells shrink and cause the latex to bend. So when a wearer warms up and starts sweating, the flaps curl and create little vents, allowing air to flow and the fabric to breathe better.

“This fabric can respond to skin moisture through bending, and create the air flow to help remove the moisture on the skin,” Wang said.

To test their durability, the flaps were run through 100 dry/wet conditions with no significant degradation in their ability to bend, according to the researchers. Commercial workout clothes will need to last more than a few months, so more trials will be needed to ensure its ability to stand up to strenuous exercise.

Although the team’s main prototype is a workout suit, Wang said they’ve explored a number of applications for this technology.

“Since the shape transformation is instant, reversible and repeatable, we believe that there should be many moisture-related applications, especially in our home and around our body,” he said.

For one, they’ve created a “living tea bag” with cells that signal when your tea is ready. They have also experimented with a lampshade that adjusts to the heat of a lightbulb to display different patterns and a toy that responds that changes its shape.

Moving forward, the researchers plan to integrate their technology into commercial products and hope to have athletes sporting their ventilating apparel as early as the 2020 Olympics in Japan.