Tech Trends- Aug 22-23
Samsung Pay launch partners, “Selfie Pay”, and the world’s first bendable display and more in this week’s ‘Weekend in Tech Trends’.
1) Tech Trends- Samsung Pay may not launch with Verizon
Samsung Pay, which has been deemed the Apple Pay rival, has been in the works for awhile. Having been tested in places like South Korea, the U.S. has been patiently waiting for an official release date. It has arrived. Samsung Pay is set to launch in the U.S. on September 28th. So far, they have the support of all three major credit cards as well as some major banks. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile are also supporting Samsung’s mobile payment platform. But one key player is missing. Verizon.
Verizon tweeted on friday that they are still in the process of reviewing Samsung Pay. Saying that they will keep their customers updated in regards to Samsung Pay compatibility. A Samsung spokesperson said “Samsung is in discussions with a number of partners to provide greater access and choice for customers. We will share more information when it becomes available.” With over a month before Samsung Pay is set to launch, the two companies have plenty of time to make a deal.
Source: TheVerge
2) Tech Trends- The Kardashians will love this payment security measure
Get your selfie sticks ready because Mastercard has decided they want to test a new type of security. And it’s being called “Selfie Pay
“Selfie Pay” uses facial recognition through smartphone cameras to verify the identity of someone buying something over their phone. This technology could make payments more secure by serving as a two-step verification process. Making it easier for Mastercard to identify the identity of the cardholder. First Tech Credit Union will be testing “Selfie Pay” within their organization using fake accounts and fake money. Meaning it’s not available to the general public yet, so the Kardashians will have to wait a little while longer. Most likely, this is just a small step in biometric security. But who knows, maybe we will be paying with selfies by next year.
Source: BusinessInsider
3) Tech Trends- Elon Musk may not actually be that crazy
Elon Musk is known for is far out ideas. And sometimes this leads to him not being taken very seriously. A good example is his idea for a Hyperloop transportation system. The Hyperloop would allow passengers to travel at extremely fast speeds in above ground tubes. At first, people thought he was crazy. But now, Hyperloop is closer to seeming like it could actually become a reality.
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies announced that it has signed agreements to work with Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum and global engineering design firm Aecom to build the first prototype. The plans are to start construction on a full-scale, passenger-ready Hyperloop in 2016. The prototype will run 5 miles through Quay Valley, a planned community rising from nothing along Interstate 5, midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
But this isn’t even the craziest part. What’s even crazier than the Hyperloop becoming a reality is that it is being developed by engineers who are working in their spare time in exchange for stock options. So not only could this revolutionize transportation, it is being built by people working in their spare time. Between the Hyperloop, Tesla, and SpaceX, Musk seems to have his sights set on taking the transportation industry.
Source: Arstechica
4) Tech Trends- Has the first bendable display finally arrived?
While Force Touch for the Apple Watch may seem like a big innovation when it comes to screens. It appears that another company is thinking much bigger than that. Polyera has announced the Wove Band, the world’s first flexible display product. The Wove Band features a flexible display which can either be flat or wrap around a wrist.
After ten years of development, Polyera has created a working, bending, display. The Wove Band will feature a flexible, low-power touch display combining Polyera Digital Fabric Technology with E Ink’s flexible and reflective electronic ink film. Polyera will start delivering units to developers in December while a commercial launch is planned for 2016. This technology could revolutionize wearables or it could create a whole new industry, only time will tell. But this is a tech trend is worth keeping an eye on.
Source: DailyBreakings
