New MasterCard combines a fingerprint sensor with NFC

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/17/mastercard-zwipe-fingerprint-sensor-nfc/

For awhile now, there's been a number of companies trying to simplify payments for everyone. Google did so with Wallet and, most recently, Apple announced it would be doing something similar with the soon-to-be-launched Apple Pay, among others. Not surprisingly, MasterCard's, synonymous with paying for stuff, is working on a product of its own. In partnership with Zwipe, a company that focuses on biometric tech, MasterCard has built a charge plate with a built-in fingerprint sensor and NFC, albeit for trial purposes. The Zwipe MasterCard, as it is currently known, is said to be extremely secure -- all data is stored directly on the card, rather than an outside database, for example.

It'll be simple to use too; you put tour thumb on the sensor, point it toward the terminal, the card makes sure it's really you and voila, kind of like how Apple Pay works using Touch ID. Zwipe says it is already working on a standardized card, which is designed to support all payment terminal expected to be released next year. Theoretically, it could be adopted by more credit card brands, like Visa, American Express and Discover, but we shall see.

Filed under: Misc, Peripherals

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Via: Digital Spy

Source: Zwipe

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Article: Microsoft opens up to Truecaller to help Windows Phone users pick out spam callers

Swedish startup Truecaller has announced a partnership with Microsoft that will see its Live Caller ID feature arrive for Windows Phone users. Founded in 2009, Truecaller is a cross-platform call and contact management service, claiming more than 85 million users globally. It's like an internatio...

http://thenextweb.com/apps/2014/10/16/microsoft-opens-apis-truecaller-help-windows-phone-users-pick-spam-callers/

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Google's new Chromecast is coming, but you won't notice a difference

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/16/google-chromecast-fcc-h2g2-2a/

Last night an apparently refreshed model of Google's Chromecast streaming dongle popped up in FCC filings (as pointed out by Zatz Not Funny), just like the original did in March last year, but don't get too excited. Unfortunately, the documents don't show any real difference that we could find, and missing features like support for 5GHz WiFi will still be missing whenever the H2G2-2A hits the streets. Need more confirmation? Six members of the Chromecast team took part in a coincidentally-timed AMA on Reddit this afternoon, and according to Google Jacky Hayward "we don't have any new user-facing features planned for this device." Whatever changes there are in the new model "it will have the same features as the original and most users won't notice a difference."

Of course, that doesn't stop us from thinking of features we would like to see in a new device, and the AMA did result in a few new nuggets of information. Beyond the recent "Backdrop" feature to give users more choice in terms of the info that pops up on their screensaver, there's a new Chrome OS files app coming (seen in developer builds, and as of today, in the beta channel) that will let users cast photos and video directly from Google Drive. They're also "looking into" gapless playback for Google Music, are working on smoother transitions for the device, and plan to "continue to innovate" when it comes to HDMI-CEC.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Google

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Via: Zatz Not Funny

Source: FCC, Chromecast Team AMA (Reddit)

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Archos is launching a GearVR competitor that costs just $40

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/16/archos-vr-headset/

We may not know how much GearVR will cost, but we're reasonably sure that Archos is already trying to undercut Samsung and Oculus head-mounted effort. The French company is busting out the wittily-named Archos VR Headset, a Rift-like device that's compatible with any smartphone that measures between 5 and 6-inches. The kicker here, of course, is that the device will retail for £25 in the UK, roughly converting to $40, which would put it well beneath the - frankly insane - $200 figure an unnamed Samsung official told VentureBeat during New York Fashion Week. If you're interested in trying one out, it'll be available at some point in November, and we hope that the GearVR isn't too far behind.

Filed under: Wearables, Samsung

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CHART OF THE DAY: Half Of All iPad Owners Have A Tablet That's At Least Two Years Old (AAPL)

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-half-of-all-ipad-owners-have-a-tablet-thats-at-least-two-years-old-2014-10

Apple introduced its iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 on Thursday. The iPad Air 2 is thinner and faster than its predecessor, while the iPad Mini 3 didn't see any internal improvements. Both tablets, however, now come with Touch ID, which allows them to make online payments through Apple Pay (there's no NFC for any retail use, however).

The new iPads face an uphill battle, though. Based on Localytics data from September charted for us by BI Intelligence, 48% of all iPad owners around the world still own iPad models that are at least two years old — that includes the first iPad, iPad 2, and third-generation iPad. This comes as no surprise; iPad owners tend to upgrade their tablet hardware more like laptop hardware (every 3-4 years) as opposed to phone hardware (every 1-2 years). With very few new features to show off this year, except for Touch ID, Apple might have a difficult time persuading current iPad owners to upgrade to one of its new tablets.

SEE ALSO: CHART OF THE DAY: The Fastest Internet Speeds Aren't In The US

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