What is AirBnb? Here’s all you need to know about being a guest or host

Instead of copying travel sites like Expedia and Travelocity, Airbnb takes a unique approach toward lodging. Part of the “sharing economy,” Airbnb offers you someone’s home as a place to stay, instead of a hotel. On Airbnb, you can find places to crash on your backpacking trip through Europe, or you can find a place to stay for a month during your internship in Los Angeles. Also, if you want to rent out extra space in your home, you can host through Airbnb and make money for allowing a guest to stay the night.

This all sounds pretty simple, but what is Airbnb exactly? Here’s what you need to know about the popular homesharing site before you book a stay or become a host.

Airbnb had a rough start

Airbnb founders Joe Gebbia, Brian Chesky, and Nathan Blecharczyk developed the business in 2008. Initially, Gebbia and Chesky started off using their own place as a bed and breakfast to make a few extra bucks to pay rent. With a big design conference coming to the San Francisco area and a city full of sold-out hotels at the time, they saw a potential market for the idea and developed a website called airbedandbreakfast.com. To fund their operation, the guys sold breakfast cereals during the 2008 presidential race — Obama O’s and Cap’n McCains — and the cereals earned them around $30,000.

Airbnb was not an immediate success, though. The startup experienced several ups and downs, and it went through at least three separate launches. A number of investors didn’t take the idea seriously. However, one venture capitalist, Paul Graham, did see a potential lottery ticket in Air Bed & Breakfast. Graham invited the founders to join a program called Y Combinator, which provides a startup with cash and training in exchange for a percentage of their company. In 2009, Air Bed & Breakfast became Airbnb, and that was the company’s turning point. As of August 2016, Airbnb was worth $30 billion, Business Insider reports.

How Airbnb works for guests

Airbnb does not own any properties. It acts as an intermediary between those who want to rent out space and those who are looking for space to rent. Creating an account on Airbnb is free, and it is relatively simple. To do so, you enter in your name, email address, birthday, and a password. Airbnb also asks that you agree to treat everyone equally, regardless of race, religion, sex, or other factors. Once you agree, your account is active. You also have the option to sign up through Facebook or Google.

Airbnb has listings all over the map, from Savannah, Georgia, to Honolulu, Hawaii, to international listings. As of late, Airbnb has listings in more than 65,000 cities around the world. Once you click on a listing, you can see a plethora of information about that listing, including the size of the space and amenities, check-in and pricing information, a detailed description of the space, house rules, safety features, and availability. You will also see reviews from other guests, and information about the hosts. For instance, the hosts of a listing in Honolulu say they “love surfing, scuba diving, kite surfing, running, and hiking the beautiful natural trails on Oahu.”

If you like the listing, you can request to book it. The site prompts you to go through a few more steps, like entering in more of your information and including a profile picture. Once you complete those steps, you can complete your request and pay for your room.  After your first booking, the process is much quicker and easier.

Before your reservation is final, however, you must wait for approval from the host, unless your listing is an “instant book” listing, as those listings don’t require host approval.

For non-instant book listings, Airbnb also recommends that guests message hosts before booking to double check availability. If you don’t hear back from the host in a timely manner, you can continue to message other hosts in the area until you find one you like. Under the host information section of each listing, you can see the host’s response rate and response time to get an idea of how quickly a host will respond to your message.

How Airbnb works for hosts

Airbnb has three different hosting options — you can rent out the extra space in your home, you can host for others in your neighborhood as a neighborhood co-host, or you can host experiences in your area.

To rent out extra space in your home, you must first create a free Airbnb account. Then, you click on “become a host” in the upper right hand corner of the page. After that, you’ll need to create a listing for your space. A listing is a lot like a profile page for the space you want to host; just like a social media profile, the nicer your page looks, the more attention it will draw in. It’s a good idea to make your space look as nice as possible and take flattering pictures of the space. How much should you charge? Airbnb helps you set pricing by indicating the averages for your area.

Student cracks DNA code to take home $10,000 worth of bitcoin

At the 2015 meeting of the World Economic Forum, European Bioinformatics Institute researcher Nick Goldman set a challenge with a three-year time limit: Decode a DNA sequence in order to gain access to a key that would unlock a digital wallet. With the deadline coming up on Monday, January 29, it seemed that no one would claim the prize — until Goldman sent out a reminder on Twitter.

The tweet captured the attention Sander Wuyts, a 26-year-old Ph.D. student studying at the University of Antwerp. He requested one of the vials of DNA that Goldman had handed out at the WEF meeting, and once he received it, he set about cracking the code.

Working alongside his colleagues, the computational microbiology student used the genome sequencing tools available via his university to make a play for the prize, according to Motherboard.

The process Goldman used to encode the information as a DNA file saw him rewrite a text document in base-3. Using zeroes, ones, and twos, he could map the data to the four nucleobases: Guanine, adenine, cytosine, and thymine.

Nine files were encoded, encrypted with a keystream — a random series of characters intended to keep the plaintext message hidden — that was supplied alongside the fragments. When Wuyts successfully decoded the message, he was presented with the key to unlock the digital wallet.

Claiming his reward, he found the logo for the European Bioinformatics Institute, a drawing of James Joyce, and one bitcoin.  This bounty was worth around $200 when the task was set, but its value has since swelled to $10,000. The fact that the challenge would have expired just five days after his victory definitely played into Wuyts hands’ when it comes to the amount of money he’s set to receive.

Wuyts will apparently use some of his winnings to thank the colleagues that helped him and will pour the rest back into his research. Meanwhile, the fact that the key was successfully decoded demonstrates how DNA storage might be used to great effect. According to Goldman, it’s a particularly safe way to store keys since not everyone has access to sequencing software — and since it takes a matter of days to read the data, it can protect investors against their tendency to sell in a panic.

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Check out 25 of the best Android Wear apps for your smartwatch

Some of the best smartwatches around run Android Wear and there are loads of apps that add all sorts of handy capabilities. These apps do more than just bring notifications to your wrist — they can entertain you, track your fitness and health, and help you to stay organized.

So, with all of that in mind, here are our picks of the best Android Wear apps, starting with a few that have been enhanced for Android Wear 2.0. Most of these apps still rely on a partner app on your smartphone, but a few offer standalone functionality. Either way, they’re all must-haves for your watch.

Bring! Grocery Shopping List

Simon Hill/Digital Trends

Incredibly clear and easy to use, Bring is the ideal shopping list app for your Android Wear watch. You can create groups of friends, family, or colleagues and share shopping lists for different events. It’s easy to add products via clearly labeled icons and you can even add your own photos.

Google Play

Infinity Loop

Simon Hill/Digital Trends

Most games for smartwatches are an exercise in frustration because of the limited screen real estate, but Infinity Loop works beautifully on your wrist. It’s a simple, relaxing puzzle game that can kill a few minutes while you’re waiting at the bus stop or in line at the store.

Amazon Google Play

Glide

Simon Hill/Digital Trends

If you’ve been dreaming of making video calls from your wrist since the emergence of the smartwatch, then Glide is an app you need to download. You need to install it on your paired phone as well, but once you do, you will be able to receive and watch video messages on your wrist. You can also send back audio, or even record video if your watch has a front-facing camera.

Google Play

Telegram

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

You can send voice or text messages, browse your chat history, or create group chats with this accessible instant messaging app that has been updated for Android Wear 2.0. It also supports emojis, stickers, and themes.

Google Play

Lifesum

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Here’s an app for the health-conscious, which tracks your food and water intake to help you achieve the right balance. Set your personal health goals and Lifesum will guide you to success with a personalized plan that includes exercise tips.

Google Play

Strava

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

If you want an alternative to Google Fit, then Strava is well worth a look. It’s available on Android Wear 2.0 as a standalone app that can track your runs and other sporty activities. If you’re cycling or running it’s great to be able to leave your phone at home, but still record your progress.

Amazon Google Play

Foursquare City Guide

With a fresh design for Android Wear 2.0, the Foursquare app is one of the easiest ways to find great places to eat, drink, and be merry in the city you’re in. It works without your phone, and you can filter by all sorts of different categories to find the exact spot you want.

Google Play

Uber

Missed the last train? No need to worry, you can now book an Uber directly from your smartwatch. This is a standalone app for your Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch that allows you to order a ride, check driver progress, and get time estimates for your journey all from your wrist. There’s no need to use your phone at all.

Google Play

Stocard

Running out of space on your keychain due to the many little loyalty and membership cards you lug around? Stocard not only lets you digitize all those cards so they’re accessible in a single mobile app, it even works with your Android Wear watch to display them. This means you just need to let the cashier scan your watch, instead of physical cards or your smartphone, to collect your rewards or access your gym.

Amazon App Store Google Play

Google Slides

Here is a new incentive to use the latest version of Google Slides for your presentations: You can now use your Android Wear smartwatch to both timekeep and remotely control your slides. The only catch is that you need to first “cast” your slides to a Chromecast-enabled display, or present them in a video call, before your watch will transform into a slick presentation remote.

Google Play

If by IFTTT

Let’s be real, app developers aren’t mind readers who know exactly what functions you need, so why not create your own with IF by IFTTT? Short for the programming lingo “If This Then That,” this meta-app lets you create “recipes” that link two unrelated apps in order to create an action. For example, you can tell the app to send a copy of every photo you take with your phone to your Android Wear watch.

Amazon App Store Google Play

Tinder

Start planning for your hot date tonight by swiping right or left through Tinder — on your wrist. With one of the best dating apps around bringing its features to Android Wear, you can now check out potential dates in your area, see notifications on new matches, and respond to their messages, right on your watch. Just to make it extra easy to access the app, you can even use your voice to tell Google to open Tinder on your smartwatch.

Amazon App Store Google Play

Vuzix serves up thee new ways to get your hands on its cool Blade smartglasses

After finally debuting its “smart” Blade-branded sunglasses for mainstream customers during CES 2018, Vuzix now offers three new programs under the “‘Blade Edge” umbrella for gaining access to the new augmented reality-based device. They replace the former Blade Beta Developer kit pre-order program, which supposedly ran dry immediately after January’s technology show. These programs are open to all, whether you’re a developer, a major corporation, or a mainstream customer who missed out on Google Glass. 

For developers, the Blade Edge Architect program is their ticket to Vuzix’s smart sunglasses. Included with this program is the software development kit, an emulator, technical specification updates, and eventually the hardware itself. Developers also have access to a secure forum to chat with the Edge engineers. 

For the enterprise, Vuzix offers the Blade Edge @ Work program. Corporations get the same software and hardware bundle, but instead of receiving access to the private chat channel, Vuzix assigns an account manager. This individual will make sure companies get everything they need to develop, pilot, and deploy projects based on the Edge smartglasses. 

Finally, Vuzix serves up the Blade Edge Engage program for everyone else. Individuals are essentially signing up to test the hardware and software, and provide feedback. In return, they’ll be placed in a short line to receive one of the first Blade models rolling off the production line. Members will speak directly to Vuzix and other Blade Edge Engage participants. 

The catch is that developers and companies must supply a $250 deposit during the application phase. If approved, the remaining $750 plus shipping charges and taxes must be paid prior to the hardware and software kit’s deployment. Presumably all parties will not be charged $250 if they do not qualify during the application phase. This deposit plans appears to apply to the Blade Edge Engage platform too. 

The Blade AR smartglasses made a big splash during CES, touted as the smartglasses Google wished it built with Glass. Vuzix already offered a version for the enterprise sector as a more stylish solution than its other AR-based products. But the company brought its Blade smartglasses to the mainstream market in early January, and saw a quick depletion of its pre-order supply.  

On the outside, Blade resembles a standard set of sunglasses. But they include two transparent displays that project data into your field of view. Backing these screens is a four-core processor, Wireless AC connectivity, and a Bluetooth connection to any Android or iOS device. That means you can make calls, get driving directions, receive notifications, and more without removing the phone from your pocket. 

Even more, the Blade smartglasses include an embedded 8MP camera capable of capturing 1080p video. The onboard storage capacity is unknown for now, but the device includes a MicroSD card slot for capturing and storing all those photos and videos. How the general population will react to the embedded camera is unknown for now, but it could suffer the same privacy-related ridicule experienced by Google Glass. 

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Microsoft rolls out new ‘font store’ in latest Windows Insider Update

It’s everyone’s favorite semi-monthly and sometimes semi-weekly event: Windows Insider update time. The latest build rolling out to Insiders in the Fast Ring aims to completely revamp how you discover, manage, and customize the fonts on your PC. That doesn’t sound very exciting, but it’s a big change to a part of Windows that has remained largely unchanged for years.

“You may be familiar with the Fonts control panel, which you could use to see the fonts that are currently installed, or to install or uninstall fonts. That control panel hasn’t been able to show off newer font capabilities, such as color fonts or variable fonts, and a refresh has been needed. In Build 17083, we’re providing a new Fonts page within Settings,” the Windows Insider blog reports.

The first part of the font revamp is a new and improved Font control panel. Here you can search the fonts installed on your PC and tweak the details of OpenType fonts on your system. You can set custom preview text, adjust its size, width, and other individual characteristics.

Additionally, the new font control panel is accompanied by a new font store which will show up in the Windows Store. Here you can search for, purchase, and install fonts right from the Windows Store.

“Along with the new Settings experience, we are introducing fonts as a new content type in the Microsoft Store. To find them easily, there is a link from the Fonts page in Settings directly to the Fonts collection in the Store,” the blog post reads.

There’s no word yet on which fonts will show up in the store, or if individual font foundries will be allowed to sell their fonts on the Windows Store — or if its just a curated selection of premium Microsoft fonts.

In addition to all the changes to the way Windows handles fonts, there’s an important behind-the-scenes change included in Build 17083. When was the last time an app on your PC crashed? Did you click the “send report” button on the error window your system popped open? Well, Microsoft is getting a little more transparent about what actually gets sent over when you click “send report.”

“We value your privacy. Our commitment is to be fully transparent on the diagnostic data collected from your Windows devices and provide you with increased control over that data. As part of this commitment, we’re adding two new features in this build for Windows Insiders which can be found under Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics & feedback,” reports the Windows Insider blog.

That’s right. Now you can dig into your diagnostic settings and have a look at exactly which information is getting sent to Microsoft. Not only is it a good move for the sake of transparency, it’s never a bad idea to get a closer look at what caused an application to crash.

As always, there are quite a few smaller updates included in this Insider build, the details for which you can check out over at the Windows Blog.

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AT&T calls on Congress to create new net neutrality laws — but why?

AT&T and other internet service providers spent millions upon millions of dollars lobbying against net neutrality in the lead up to the Federal Communications Commissions’ vote to reclassify it as a Title I utility, effectively giving ISPs much more power over how the internet works. Now, AT&T seems to be trying to claim credit for being a pro-net-neutrality provider by calling on Congress to pass new neutrality laws.

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson proposed the so-called “Internet Bill of Rights” in a series of full-page ads in large newspapers like The Washington Post and The New York Times, and in a blog post on the AT&T website. In the letter, Stephenson argued that new net neutrality laws would not only protect consumer rights, but would also establish more “consistent rules of the road” for ISPs and tech companies. Until that happens, Stephenson says that AT&T will honor an open internet without blocking, throttling, or hindering access to content online.

Of course, AT&T may claim that it’s committed to an open internet, but it, along with the likes of Verizon and Comcast, spent years fighting against net neutrality. AT&T alone spent a whopping $16 million lobbying against net neutrality in 2017, and as a report from Engadget notes, while the company argues that the FCC’s regulation changes depending on which party is in power, AT&T is also arguing for stricter rules at a time when Congress is far less likely to pass net neutrality laws given its makeup.

It’s also possible that AT&T is worried about how states will treat net neutrality. One blanket federal law that benefits ISPs will be much easier to deal with than dozens of state laws that may or may not favor the company depending on which state it is. The FCC has said that it will take states to court if they try to circumvent its decisions, but companies like AT&T have no guarantees that will work.

Further, AT&T said that laws should prevent blocking and throttling of websites — and made no mention of whether or not ISPs should be able to speed up content based on being paid off from tech companies. That’s kind of a big deal — and its one of the things that net neutrality advocates fear could start happening.

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FDA-approved robotic exoskeleton magnifies wearers’ strength by tenfold

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently gave its stamp of approval to Cyberdyne. But don’t worry: Skynet isn’t on the cards just yet. In fact, it’s a Japanese robotics company that just so happens to have the same name as the company from the Terminator movies, which is responsible for blowing up mankind.

What the FDA has specifically given its approval to is HAL, which is also the name of a fictitious AI villain (from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey). Cyberdyne’s HAL is short for Hybrid Assistive Limb, and refers to a lower-body exoskeleton that can enhance users’ strength and stability. HAL involves sensors that attach to the users’ legs, which detect bioelectric signals sent from the brain to the muscles, triggering the exoskeleton to move. Cyberdyne calls it “the world’s first robotic medical device.” It has previously been marketed as a medical device in the European Union and Japan, but the FDA’s medical clearance in the United States back up HAL’s therapeutic effects.

Here at Digital Trends, we’ve previously covered a number of robotic exoskeletons that are designed to help people with lower-limb disabilities to walk again. Unlike many other of these robotic exoskeletons, HAL combines voluntary and autonomous control to aid with the rehabilitation process, with the goal of allowing people to walk without the use of it. When people use the technology, it is the individual whose nervous system is controlling the exoskeleton, not some independent control. Nonetheless, it is able to take the intention of the users and magnify their strength by a factor of 10 — supporting both its weight and that of the wearer while they move around.

A nonmedical device version of Cyberdyne’s exoskeleton is also available, although currently not in the U.S. In Japan, though, close to a thousand units have been sold to aid people doing heavy lifting as part of their jobs. Hopefully in the future, possibly based on the recent FDA approval, this product will also make its way to the states. That way we’ll no longer need to risk our backs every time a buddy asks us to help move their heavy couch!

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Here’s how to use Apple Pay with your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Mac

Whether you’re shopping online or in your favorite neighborhood store, you’re probably going to use a credit or debit card to make your purchase. If you’re one of the nearly 90 percent of people who prefer to use a credit or debit card for purchases, Apple Pay may be the perfect solution. Apple Pay allows you to store your frequently used credit, debit, and rewards cards on your favorite Apple device.

If you’re new to Apple Pay or just have questions about the service, we have you covered. Here’s how to set up and use Apple Pay for purchases online and in-store.

Supported Apple Pay devices

Apple Pay is supported on most modern devices — iPhone models from the iPhone SE to the current iPhone X are supported and all Apple Watches support Apple Pay. The fifth-generation iPad, iPad Pro, iPad Mini 3 and 4, and the iPad Air 2 work with Apple Pay. As for Macs, if your computer is capable of running MacOS Sierra or later, you should be fine.

Banks that support Apple Pay

Apple Pay is supported by most financial institutions and credit card companies in the U.S. Apple provides an up-to-date list of all financial institutions that accept Apple Pay.

Stores, websites, and apps that support Apple Pay

Apple Pay is supported by hundreds of brands and websites, including 7-Eleven, GameStop, Etsy, Staples, Toys “R” Us, and Fandango, with more being added all the time. You can find the current list of supported retailers here, or visit our exhaustive list of companies that accept Apple Pay here. Many third-party apps also allow you to use Apple Pay. You can check some of those apps out here. Of course, if you buy apps or other digital items from Apple, you can always use Apple Pay to purchase music, movies, apps, books, and more.

How to set up Apple Pay

You can add eight cards to Apple Pay across your various supported devices, if you intend to use it on, say, your iPhone and Apple Watch,  you need to add your cards to both devices.

How to add cards to iPhone and iPad

On your iPhone, open the Wallet app. On your iPad, go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay. Tap Add Credit or Debit Card. If you don’t have Touch ID or a passcode already set up, you will be asked to do so.
Tap Continue. If you want to use the card you have on file with iTunes or the App Store, you just need to enter the security code on the back of your card.
 To add a different card to your account, tap Add a Different Card. You then have the opportunity to either use your camera to scan your card, or you can enter the card details manually.
 Tap Next to have your card information verified. You may be prompted to contact your bank to complete the verification process. One verification is complete, tap Next and you’re all set to use Apple Pay.

How to add cards to Mac

 To add a card to your Mac, you need to go to System Preferences > Wallet & Apple Pay, then click Add Card.
Follow the on-screen instructions. If you want to use the card you have on file with iTunes or the App Store, you just need to enter the security code on the back of your card.
To add a new card, simply enter your card details and click Next.
Apple will attempt to verify your card. You may need to contact your bank to complete the verification process.
Once your card has been verified, click Next to complete the setup process.

How to add cards to Apple Watch

To add a card to your Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone. Go to the My Watch tab and select the watch you’re going to use with Apple Pay. Tap Wallet & Apple Pay > Add Credit or Debit Card.

Follow the on-screen instructions to add your card, or enter the security code associated with the card you already use with iTunes.
Tap Next and your information will be verified. In some cases, your bank may need more information.
After your information is verified, tap Next once again to finish the setup process.

How to add a rewards card 

You can also add various rewards cards to the Wallet app to use with Apple Pay. Instead of choosing Add Credit or Debit Card, you want to add it as one of your Passes instead. Once added, you can have it appear automatically in a store by opening the Wallet app, tapping the card and the “i” icon, and turning on Automatic Selection.

If you have any issues adding a card to any of your devices, try restarting your device. Then, make sure it’s running the latest version of iOS, WatchOS, or MacOS. Also consider removing the card, then adding it again.

How to use Apple Pay in stores

It’s easy to spot retailers that accept Apple Pay. Stores that accept Apple Pay will have one of these logos on the door or at the register near its contactless reader:

To use Apple Pay in stores, you will need to have your iPhone or Apple Watch present.

If you have an iPhone with Touch ID, just place your finger on the Touch ID scanner and hold the phone near the reader (within one inch) until you see Done accompanied by a check mark.

• To use a different card for your purchase, just tap the default card when it appears before you authenticate with Face ID.

iPhone X users will double tap the side button and glance at your phone. Hold your phone close to the contactless reader until you see Done accompanied by a check mark.

• To use a different card for your purchase, hold your phone near the reader without placing your finger on Touch ID. When your card appears, you can tap it to swap with another card in your wallet. Once your card is selected, place your finger on Touch ID to finish the payment.

To pay using your Apple Watch, double-click the side button and hold the watch near the reader until you see the word Done and the accompanying check mark.

• To change cards on the Apple Watch, double-click the side button before holding it near the reader. When your default card appears, swipe left or right to change cards. Hold your watch near the reader to continue with your payment.

Note: If you’re prompted to choose between credit or debit, choose credit. Apple explains that, if you’re asked for the last four digits on the card, use your Device Account Number instead. To find this on your iPhone, open the Wallet app, pick your card, then tap the “i” icon. For the Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone, then tap Wallet & Apple Pay > your card.

How to use Apple Pay in apps

There is a growing number of apps that accept Apple Pay. You will know if you can use the service when you see one of the buttons below while checking out, or Apple Pay is one of the optional payment methods:

To pay, tap whichever button appears within checkout, or simply select Apple Pay as your preferred checkout method.
If you want to pay with a different card, just tap the “>” icon next to your default card.
On your iPhone or iPad, rest your finger on Touch ID to confirm the payment. On the Apple Watch, double-click the side button. When the payment process is complete, you will be met with the same Done confirmation and check mark you encountered previously.

How to use Apple Pay in Safari

Using Apple Pay in Safari is actually pretty easy, though, you still need an iPhone, iPad, or a Mac that supports the feature.

Make a payment using an iPhone, iPad, or a MacBook Pro with Touch ID

Tap the Apple Pay or Buy with Apple Pay button.
Double-check your billing, shipping, and other information.

To use a different card on iPhone or iPad, tap the “>” next to the selected card.
To use a different card on the MacBook Pro, press the up or down arrows next to the current card.

When you’re ready to confirm your purchase and pay:

On iPhone and iPad, rest your finger on the Touch ID scanner. If payment is accepted, you will see Done and a check mark.
On the MacBook Pro, you will be given steps to follow on the Touch Bar. Rest your finger on the Touch ID sensor, as you would on an iOS device. If Touch ID is disabled, tap the Apple Pay icon, and you will be presented with steps to enable the feature. When your payment is complete, you will see a familiar message and check mark.

Make a payment using Mac

This is largely the same as using Apple Pay on a MacBook Pro, aside from a few small things that need to be checked first.

First, you need to be signed into the same iCloud account as your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. After that, you need to turn on Bluetooth in order for your Mac to utilize any credit or debit card added to your iOS device or Apple Watch.
Tap the Buy with Apple Pay or Apple Pay button, then check your information or change cards as you would on a MacBook Pro.
To pay, place your finger on your iPhone’s Touch ID sensor, or double-click the side button on the Apple Watch. When your payment is successful, you’ll be greeted with a familiar message and check mark.

How to check your transaction history

You can check your recent translations by opening the Wallet app. Initially, you will only be shown the last transaction made with a card. To see more than that, tap the card and the “i” icon, followed the Transactions tab.

Updated for current devices and iOS.

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Microsoft to intro a new Windows 10 app for a better look at its data collection

Just ahead of Data Privacy Day on January 28, Microsoft reports that it plans to introduce new and updated privacy features in Windows 10. More specifically, the company plans to inject its operating system with a new tool called Windows Diagnostic Data Viewer, and update the current Microsoft Privacy Dashboard. Both are planned for the next major Windows 10 update, but Windows Insider Program participants will get an early preview. 

The Windows Diagnostic Data Viewer will provide means for searching and viewing cloud-based diagnostic data related to your specific Windows 10 device. For a detailed list of Microsoft’s data collection, you can read the massively long list here. But here’s a watered-down chart showing the data you can access using the upcoming tool: 

Type 
Contents 

Common Data

Information such as the operating system version, the Device ID, device class, diagnostic level, and more

Connectivity and Configuration

Information related to the device capabilities, connected peripherals, preferences, network details, and so on

Product and Service Performance

Overall device health, performance, and reliability. This category also includes video and audio consumption functionality, and file queries

Product and Service Usage

Details regarding device, operating system, application, and service usage

Software Setup and Inventory

Details regarding device update information, installed applications, and install history

Microsoft says it doesn’t keep track of your viewing and listening habits, but rather how well those video and audio files play on your device. Still, as the list shows, Microsoft keeps quite a bit of information in the cloud pertaining to you and your Windows 10 device. Storing information about your installed programs and overall install history is a little creepy, hence why Microsoft wants to give you full control over your diagnostics data. 

Once it goes live, the Windows Diagnostic Data Viewer will appear as an app in the Microsoft Store. “The app’s Menu button opens the detailed menu,” the company explains. “In here, you’ll find a list of diagnostic event categories, which define how the events are used by Microsoft. Selecting a checkbox lets you filter between the diagnostic event categories.”

Microsoft adds that the upcoming Windows Diagnostic Data Viewer app will provide means to view, search, and filter diagnostic data. What the app doesn’t appear to provide, at least based on Wednesday’s brief introduction, is means for manually blocking specific data collection. Instead, Microsoft indicates that you can “take action” by using the event feedback tool. 

Meanwhile, the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard will feature a revamped Activity History page to better view all data linked to your Microsoft Account. This page will eventually play host to tools for viewing and managing media consumption data along with product and service activity. Microsoft will also implement tools for deleting specific items, and exporting all dashboard data. 

Given the Windows Diagnostic Data Viewer app and revamped Microsoft Privacy Dashboard are now rolling out to Windows Insiders, both will be tweaked based on participant feedback. The big “Redstone 4” update for the general public will likely arrive in March or April. 

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Chronicle, a cybersecurity firm, is the latest to join the Alphabet family

Chronicle is joining the Alphabet family alongside the likes of Google, Nest, and Waymo.

Google, Nest, and Waymo are some of the biggest names that live under the Alphabet conglomerate that was launched back in 2015, and on January 24, Chronicle became the latest to join it. Chronicle is a cybersecurity firm that first got started in the X moonshot factory nearly two years ago, but it’s now ready to launch as its own independent company.

Chronicle will be focused on two main areas, including the launch of a brand-new cybersecurity platform for enterprises and maintaining the VirusTotal malware intelligence system that Google purchased back in 2012.

Since Chronicle will be basing its new cybersecurity platform on the same infrastructure used by other Alphabet companies, it’ll have a few key advantages over its competitors, including faster data retrieval and the ability to offer companies larger storage amounts at lower costs. Add this together with machine learning technology improved search features, and Chronicle is already off to a pretty great start.

Chronicle says that it’s been working with a number of Fortune 500 companies to help shape its direction since it was first started in February of 2016, and some of its hires include cybersecurity expert Carey Nachenberg and Will Robinson, a Google engineer of 13 years.

Per Chronicle’s Stephen Gillett:

None of us have to settle for cybercrime being a fact of life, or for a reactive, expensive existence of cleanup and damage control. We’re looking forward to working with many organizations in the coming years to give good the advantage again.

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