You can now tip London buskers without handing over cash
Buskers in London are welcoming a new scheme that enables them to receive tips from passers-by using contactless cards and the like. Using supplied reader devices, the street performers can set a pre-defined amount that members of the public pay when they make the cashless transaction.
HTC U12 vs Google Pixel 2 XL: Can HTC take out the stock Android king?
HTC has finally unveiled the new HTC U12 Plus, its latest and greatest flagship phone boasting some of the best specs you can find on a phone in 2018. But can it take down the Google Pixel 2 XL, which many consider to be one of the best Android phones ever released? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Apple’s iPad Smart Cover could one day have a display that shows notifications
It looks like Apple is working on ways to make its Smart Cover a whole lot more functional. The company has filed for a patent that would involve future iterations of the Smart Cover with displays for showing notifications, or transparent portions of the cover for allowing the user to see notifications.
T-Mobile website bug reportedly exposed private customer account details
Due to a bug in T-Mobile's website in April, customers' account information was left accessible for anyone to see. While it has since been fixed, personal information -- such as billing account numbers, postal addresses, tax ID numbers, and more -- could have potentially been misused.
Documents show Apple knew the iPhone 6 range would bend
Remember Bendgate? Apple isn't being allowed to forget it, as court documents from a class action lawsuit against the Cupertino giant have shown that Apple's initial tests on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus revealed both phones to be more susceptible to bending than the iPhone 5S.
Avoid the latest Android malware scare by remembering this one thing
An unpleasant piece of malware called Cosiloon has been discovered hiding inside the firmware of hundreds of Android devices, according to virus experts Avast. Luckily, it's unlikely your Android tablet or phone is affected, and there is an easy way to avoid it in the future.
As sale rumors swirl, Essential claims it’s focusing on ‘game-changing’ products
Essential, the company launched last year by Android co-founder Andy Rubin, is considering selling itself. The news comes after dismal sales of its first product launch, the Essential Phone (PH-1). The company has responded, saying it's putting all of its efforts towards "future, game-changing products."
Qualcomm targets ‘premium midrange’ phones with the Snapdragon 710
Qualcomm unveiled the first chip in its new 700 series -- the Snapdragon 710. The chip is aimed at combining some of the high-end features in the 800 series, with a more affordable price -- making it perfect for budget high-end phones. We don't yet know what phones will feature the new chip.
Facebook is busy enhancing two-factor authentication, group tools, and more
Facebook launched not one but several updates today, enhancing two-factor authentication, adding new Groups admin tools and expanding Marketplace. The security update is the first time Facebook has allowed users to add two-factor authentication without giving out a phone number.
Kayak now notifies delayed air travelers of compensation with the Service app
Airlines will compensate travelers for flight delays and now Kayak will notify users when a potential claim is available. The major travel platform just partners with a start-up called Service that automatically files travel claims for users. The change means Kayak users will now be notified of a potential claim.
Following battery backlash, Apple offers a $50 refund to some customers
Have you had any issues trying to get Apple to replace your iPhone battery in the wake of the handset-throttling debacle? The company is offering discounted replacements, but an investigation by the BBC suggests Apple is making it difficult for some customers to obtain a new battery. Now, Apple is offering refunds.
FBI inflates the number of encrypted smartphones it can’t access, report says
The number of encrypted smartphones the FBI has been unable to access has been grossly inflated to the public and lawmakers, according to The Washington Post. While the agency said it was locked out of nearly 8,000 devices connected to crimes in 2017, it appears the actual number is closer to 1,000 or 2,000.
Google hypes mobile game creators in new behind-the-scenes series
Google wants to put a spotlight on some of the creative minds behind some of your favorite mobile games. The company has launched a new video series called First Person, which goes behind the scenes of some mobile games and talks to creators about their process and their craft.
How much of your data is Apple collecting? Not much, and here’s how to see it
A New York Times journalist took a look at just how much Facebook knew about him, and was horrified by the answer. How much do other popular tech companies know about their users? Jefferson Graham of USA Today looked into how much data Apple collected from him. You can do the same with new Apple tools.
The crazy full-screen Vivo Apex concept is being made into a real phone
Vivo is making the incredible Apex concept phone a reality, and not just a showcase. The phone was shown at MWC 2018 as an example of what's possible, but it was never certain the device would get a release. Now, Vivo has said the Apex will launch on June 12, and here's everything you need to know.
At WWDC 2018, Apple to show off its latest software innovations
Apple has revealed the dates and location for WWDC 2018, which is where we'll see the latest and greatest software that Apple has to offer. According to Apple, WWDC 2018 will be held from June 4-8 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. And we will be on the ground covering it.
The OnePlus 6 is now available: Here’s where to buy it
OnePlus has finally unveiled the new OnePlus 6, boasting flagship specs like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 and up to 8GB of RAM, as well as a new design with a nice big display. If you're interested in getting it for yourself, you may be wondering where to buy it. Here's how to buy the OnePlus 6.
Google and ‘Google, You Owe Us’ begin $4.3 billion court battle
In a landmark case for the British courts, a campaign group is pushing forward with a lawsuit against Google's data gathering in 2011/2. And now, this privacy case has ballooned, and threatens to cost Google a whopping $4.3 billion should the tech firm lose. The privacy group and Google met in court this week.
FLI Charge’s conductive wireless charging could revolutionize classroom tech
Juice Mobile Power has won FCC approval and ETL certification to roll into classrooms and offices across the country. In partnership with Bretford, FLI Charge has built its conductive wireless charging technology into a mobile solution that turns a single outlet into a power source for up to 20 devices.
Augmented reality’s latest trick? Simplifying directions on Google Maps
At Google I/O, the company gave us a sneak peek at what's yet to come from Google Maps, and no matter how nonexistent your sense of direction might be, Google can help. Plus, there are a slew of new features for discovering new local restaurants, as well as party planning tools newly at your disposal.
Fire! Gadgets thrown in the trash are causing battery blazes at waste centers
Think twice before you toss your gadgets in the trash — their lithium-ion batteries may end up causing a fire. Battery-related fires inside garbage trucks and at waste centers are on the rise as consumers fail to properly recycle their gadgets, a report this week suggests.
Sony’s smaller version of its E Ink tablet available for pre-order in the U.S.
If you're in the market for a tablet, Sony has another offering that may catch your eye. The Japanese electronics company recently released its new DPT-CP1 "Digital Paper" tablet, an E Ink tablet that is really meant for folks who still want to pretend that they're writing on actual paper.
Wherever the road takes you, the Pivt app will make you feel at home
Home may be where the heart is, but a new app can make it such that home is where you are. Meet Pivt, intended specifically for expats, travelers, and other folks abroad just looking for a community to call their own -- even if only for a short while. It's available on both Android and iOS.
Google Duo should let you share your screen, but it doesn’t work right now
Android users have been looking forward to the possibility of screen sharing with Google Duo for several months now, and while the feature has rolled out, it hasn't been quite what users were hoping for. In fact, it's totally broken. Theoretically, the functionality should be quite straightforward.
New Samsung ad compares Galaxy S9 to iPhone 6, for some reason
Samsung likes to poke fun at Apple in its smartphone ads. So what did it cook up for its latest effort? Well, it's hoping to persuade iPhone users to ditch their Apple-made handsets in favor of Samsung's flagship Galaxy S9 handset. So why did it use a 4-year-old iPhone 6 in the ad?
TeenSafe phone-monitoring app leaks ‘tens of thousands’ of accounts
A server operated by phone-tracking service TeenSafe is reported to have leaked account information belonging to "tens of thousands" of its users. Of particular concern is that the exposed data — linked to parents and children who use the service — is believed to have been stored in plaintext form.
The Google Play store hosted malware meant to steal from North Korean defectors
McAfee researchers have discovered that hackers with links to the North Korean regime managed to make Google complicit in stealing information. As per a recently published blog post, the Google Play store has apparently been playing host to at least three apps designed to collect data from certain people.
Apple removes apps with CallKit framework from the app store in China
Following the enforcement of new regulation from the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Apple is removing apps that use the CallKit framework. Just last year, Apple removed VPN apps from China.
Samsung and Apple’s lawsuit may finally be drawing to a close
The gigantic Apple vs. Samsung legal lawsuit is still ongoing, and although Samsung has been found liable for damages, it's still refusing to back down. With potentially $1 billion on the line, Samsung is now arguing that it should only pay damages for components, not the phones themselves.
Sprint follows T-Mobile’s lead with new unlimited data plan for seniors
Sprint has announced a new unlimited data plan built specifically for seniors and coming in at only $70 for two lines. Of course, the new plan has some serious competition -- T-Mobile's plan comes at the same price, and may offer some better features in certain situations.
There’s a Wear OS alternative called AsteroidOS that you can install now
Starting to get a little tired of playing with the same software on your smartwatch? It turns out that you have another option - an open source one, Linux-based smartwatch OS called AsteroidOS has just launched for a selection of watches and Android phones. Here's what you need to know about AsteroidOS.
New ‘Interests’ feature recommends products you’ll actually want to buy on eBay
A new "Interests" feature is now part of eBay's mobile app for iOS and Android. By answering a few questions, users are able to personalize their shopping experience based on their own hobbies, style preferences, and more. Shoppers will see product recommendations appear throughout the app.
Nokia 8 Sirocco: Everything you need to know
Take a step back and admire the most beautiful Nokia smartphone we've seen in a while. It's the Nokia 8 Sirocco, and it's as powerful as it is attractive. After a few months wait, the phone has been released in the U.K., and we've got all the details you need to know here.
This $4,600 solar charger comes with an iPhone X attached
The company that once brought us an iPhone with an engraving of Vladimir Putin's face on the back is now offering a very expensive solar charger built onto an iPhone X. To get your hands on one, you'll have to part with thousands of dollars, though you'll have to be quick as it's a limited edition.