Consumer Electronics Daily News

Microsoft Confirms that 8.1 Will Come Loaded with Skype

On the windows experience blog, Ryan Gavin posted that Windows 8.1 users would be receiving "Skype, Right from the Start. We believe that connecting and sharing should be a seamless part of every Windows experience. Over 300 million people today use Skype for the most personal connections in their lives, sharing those everyday moments big and small across messaging, audio and video calling. With Windows 8.1, Skype is included right from (the) Start, making your new Windows device the best way to stay close and connected."

While this move appears to be made for convenience's sake on Windows' part, people are interpreting it as a more sinister move in line with Microsoft's shady entanglement with user privacy. The Kinect camera feature on the Xbox One was a dealbreaker for many, and has since been revised. But when enough people balk at the prospect of Skype-- notorious for monitoring conversations-- pre-loaded on every Windows 8.1 machine, will it change? It's unlikely. According to Techcrunch, "Windows 8.1 isn’t completely locked yet, but it is close. Yesterday Microsoft confirmed that Windows 8.1 will be digitally available on October 17, and will land in stores on the 18th."

On the business end, Microsoft's move to include Skype into Windows 8.1 could bump Skype's usage by double-digit percentage points, bringing its usership into the high millions. 

Read more on the Windows Experience Blog.

 

 

 

 

Zapper's Scan-to-Login Makes e-Commerce More Convenient

Zapper™ announces a new web service to make e-Commerce more user-friendly: Scan-to-Login™. Easy to implement and compatible with major site builders, a quick scan creates an authenticated "handshake" to quickly, accurately and securely pass user details to the website backend. Scan-to-Login makes registration, login and checkout pages as simple as scanning a code with your phone.

"Website owners understand that anything that helps their customers make a purchase is a tremendous advantage," said Maurice Karpes, Product Manager at Zapper. "Scan-to-Login was designed to enhance e-Commerce, helping customers move quickly once they've made the purchase decision. We've been getting great feedback on it," he added.  

Secure with a strong combination of two-factor authentication, integrated 128-bit encryption, optional password protection, e-Vendors can offer customers an impeccable purchase experience with Scan-to-Login.  

Once integrated into a website, Scan-to-Login places an encrypted QR Code alongside the registration, login and payment fields. When scanned with the associated Zapper app on the user's mobile phone, the required details are instantly and securely passed to the website, without a keystroke being made.

Learn more at http://www.zapper.com

PRNewswire

Braintree Launces Innovative Mobile Market Solution

Mobile phones and tablets are fast becoming consumers' primary computing devices and are fueling the growth of marketplaces that ease everyday tasks from finding a ride to hiring a painter. Braintree, the global payment platform behind the best next-generation online and mobile purchasing experiences—including Airbnb, Angry Birds, Fab, Hotel Tonight and Uber—today launched Marketplace, simplifying how marketplace owners pay and manage a number of sellers while decreasing administrative and regulatory burdens. TaskRabbit, a website and mobile app that allows people to outsource their tasks to fully vetted and background checked people, is the first company to benefit from this end-to-end payment experience that enables buying and selling within its marketplace to happen entirely from a mobile device.

"Given the rapidly growing ability to access everything from a mobile device, consumers are quickly gravitating to next-generation marketplaces and collaborative consumption models," said Bill Ready, CEO, Braintree.

One of the biggest challenges for marketplaces is handling the flow of money between the marketplace, seller and buyer. Historically, the marketplace would stand in the middle of the transaction – claiming funds from the buyer, validating the seller's bank account information and delivering the funds to the seller – subjecting the marketplace to compliance and regulatory issues as well as administrative complexity.  The fact that many marketplaces are inherently mobile makes it even more difficult to gather complicated financial information from users on the move.

With Marketplace, buyers are able to pay in a single touch and sellers can receive money directly on their mobile devices. The money flow is managed by Braintree so the marketplace operator never touches the funds, alleviating many compliance and regulatory burdens. Braintree also handles 1099 tax reporting, allowing the marketplace to focus on innovation and growth rather than handling IRS requirements.

Inspired by working with collaborative consumption pioneers like TaskRabbit, Uber and Airbnb, Braintree developed a first-of-its-kind solution designed to seamlessly connect the merchant, sellers and consumers on a mobile device to fuel marketplace innovation. From signup to checkout, Marketplace removes previous challenges marketplaces faced and reduces friction for sellers and buyers. New sellers never leave the merchant's site and can instantly sign up to be paid out the next day through Venmo – without bank account and routing information – or to a bank account via ACH transfer within two days. Similarly, buyers can make purchases in one touch, without entering their credit card information, using Venmo Touch.

Marketplace is easy for developers to implement through Braintree's API. Merchants can customize how and when they pay their community members and specify collection fees on every transaction. For example, Marketplace allows merchants to tailor payments according to their business models either by holding payments in escrow until goods are shipped or disbursing funds immediately.

Marketplace is available immediately to Braintree customers at no additional cost. For additional details, visit:www.braintreepayments.com/marketplace.

PRNewswire

Ding Dong, Now You Know Who it is With iDoorCam!

A message from iDoorCam:

iDoorCam, a digital lifestyle gadget company, launched an Indiegogo campaign for its new WiFi-enabled doorbell. The iDoorCam doorbell enables users to answer the front door from their mobile device. iDoorCam uses cutting edge technology to make answering the front door convenient and easy.

The beautifully designed iDoorCam device replaces a current doorbell and connects to a home’s WiFi network. When a visitor pushes the button, the device sends an alert to a user’s smartphone or tablet and they can choose to ignore or answer the call. If answered, the user will see, hear and speak to the person at the front door. The call from the digital doorbell is routed to the mobile device over both WiFi and cellular networks.

iDoorCam is perfect for parents, frequent travelers, on-the-go professionals, senior citizens, or anybody who wants to stay connected with their homes.

“iDoorCam began with a single mission: to create technology that improves our everyday lives and helps people stay connected to their homes. As a busy executive who travels often, I am constantly on the go and needed a way to ‘be home’ even when I wasn’t. Being able to keep tabs on the house while traveling, brought me peace of mind,” said Desiree Mejia, co-founder and CEO, iDoorCam. “When it comes to connected gadgets, people are seeking simplicity, and iDoorCam is easy to install and easy to use. iDoorCam gives everyone exactly what they want -- anytime, anywhere connectivity to their home.”

No other doorbell device offers an advanced feature set that includes:

●     Multiple users: allows for unlimited users on an account so an entire family can receive alerts when a visitor rings the doorbell

●     User initiation: users can initiate communication with the front door through their mobile device, even if the visitor doesn’t ring the bell

●     Patent-pending motion sensor technology: primes connection and starts call before button is pressed, resulting in faster connections and reduced delays

●     Night vision with infrared LED camera: captures video in total darkness

●     LED indicator: notifies user when WiFi connection is lost

●     Automatic updates: updates device without having to sync or plug into a computer

●     Secure connection: provides an unparalleled level of encryption and SSL for bank-level security

●     2-Way Voice – 1-Way Video: homeowner sees and hears visitor; visitor hears homeowner

“Our goal was to bring the highest quality, WiFi-enabled doorbell to market at an affordable price point,” said iDoorCam Co-founder Andrew Paul Thomas. Additionally, all manufacturing and production of the iDoorCam is done in the USA.

The Indiegogo funding goal is $100,000 USD and aims to facilitate the development, production and distribution of iDoorCam to people around the world. The first 50 backers can buy the device at a reduced price of $99 and all backers will buy at a discount and will get their devices before the general public. Click here to visit iDoorCam’s 5-week Indiegogo campaign. iDoorCam will be available to the general public at www.idoorcam.com for a retail price of $164.95 and is expected to ship in time for the holiday season.

 

Save Received Snapchat Snaps Forever with Snap Save!

Snap Save could be your worst nightmare-- or your best tool, diabolical or otherwise. Snapchat, the popular photosharing app, grew to popularity because it claimed that photos were not saved on any server or device after they were viewed by the recipient. After it was revealed that these photos actually were stashed in "secret" folders on smartphone users' devices, a wave of innovations hit the market to help people uncover these files. Snap Save is one of those creations! Now, instead of losing a hilarious cat picture (complete with the sender's personalized doodles) after ten seconds, Snap Save-- specifically designed for snapchat-- lets you save the photo or video so that you can keep it forever.

For the recipients of Snapchat photos or videos, Snap Save lets them experience those fleeting moments of a funny snapchat over and over again. For the senders of Snapchat photos or videos, news of this should hopefully make them reconsider their #YOLO attitudes when sending photos they only intended to be seen once for four seconds.

Easy to use

The method of use is convenient. You simply download Snap Save from the App Store at http://www.snap-save.com. You then use your Snapchat account credentials to log in. After that, all photos and videos can be downloaded and saved forever. In addition, it's easy to return to Snapchat with single tap. You will be able to easily switch between the two applications.

Features 

The biggest festures is Snap Save is to help you save received photos and videos to your device so that you can back them up and share them. Unlike when taking a screenshot from Snapchat itself, the other user is never notified that you saved their photo/video. An additional feature is that received Snaps are viewable even after you have cleared them from the Snapchat message list.

Snap Save is a must have app if you are a Snapchat user. Use it to save your favorite pictures, or to embarrass your friends, or both!

 

LG G2 Introduces New Direction In Smartphone Design

LG Electronics (LG) today unveiled its latest flagship smartphone LG G2, the first smartphone introduced under LG's new "G" Series for premium devices, exemplifying LG's aim to bring forth more customer-centric innovations.

New Perspective in Smartphone Design
The LG G2 brings everything together in a device with comfortable, functional, convenient and beautiful design. The LG G2 shifts the paradigm in smartphone design by placing all the buttons on the rear of the device, making this the first smartphone to be completely devoid of side buttons. The unique Rear Key concept came from the realization when studying users that the larger the phone became, the more difficult it was to properly access the side keys. Moving the main buttons to the back of the phone gave users more control since this place was where individuals' index fingers are naturally located. Researchers found that moving the buttons also resulted in fewer dropped phones when adjusting the volume while talking.

Edge-to-Edge Display and Best-In-Class Power Capacity
LG upped the ante by incorporating a 5.2-inch Full HD display in the LG G2, the largest display designed for one-handed operation in today's popular 2.7-inch width smartphone category.

For more efficient energy usage, the LG G2 employs Graphic RAM (GRAM) technology. GRAM reduces the display's energy use by up to 26 percent on a still frame and increases overall usage time on the device by approximately 10 percent. And with a generous 3,000mAh battery that is thoughtfully designed to take maximum advantage of the interior space, the LG G2 is more than ready for a full day's work or play.

OIS and High Resolution for Great Pictures
The LG G2's high-resolution camera comes equipped with Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) technology to prevent blurring, allowing for clearer, brighter and sharper images even when in motion or shooting in dim environments. The G2 is unique in that it offers 13MP and OIS technology in a slim design without a protruding lens. And features such as Super Resolution and Multi-point AF help keep everything in focus, just like a standalone point-and-shoot digital camera.

Studio Quality Hi-Fi Sound 
In recent years, there has been an increase in consumer demand for superior sound in smartphones as high-quality multimedia content becomes more ubiquitous. Smartphones have become hubs for entertainment of all kind — TV shows, movies, games — and consumers expect the sound to be just as good as the image. The LG G2 is the first smartphone on the market today to feature 24 bit/192kHz Hi-Fi playback that reproduces studio-like quality sound, far superior to a CD. 

Practical UX Connected to Everyday Life
The LG G2 comes with a number of compelling user experience (UX) features that provide the most practical value by focusing on a smartphone's most popular tasks:

• Answer Me — Automatically answers the call after lowering the ringtone when the phone is raised to one's ear.
• Plug & Pop — Recommends options or related features to choose from when the earphone or USB cable is detected.
• Text Link — Allows information embedded in text messages to be selected and easily saved in a memo or calendar and searched on a map or the internet.
• QuickRemote — Not only can LG G2 be used to remotely control popular home entertainment devices, it can also learn from conventional remotes and be customized to operate multiple devices with flexible layouts and keys.
• Slide Aside — Enables easier multitasking by simply "sliding" open apps off to the side using a three-finger swipe.
• Guest Mode — Protects owner's privacy by displaying only pre-selected apps when guests access the phone with a secondary unlock pattern.

PRNewswire

CEDN Exclusive: An Interview with Filip Technologies, Maker of First FCC-Certified Wearable Cellular Device

by Hannah Hollins

Filip Technologies announced that its debut product, the Filip, is officially the first FCC-certified, full-voice capability wearable cellular device. The Filip is worn on the wrist as a watch; it is a phone and smart locator for kids that keeps them in touch with parents at the push of a button. Children wearing the Filip can make and receive phone calls to and from five parent-approved phone numbers, and they can receive text messages from parents.

The Filip sets itself apart from the wearables trend because this tool is more than a tech accessory-- it is a necessary, useful communication device for modern families. It has only the necessary kid-friendly and adult-approved features, and none of the bells and whistles that make smartphones unsuitable for children. A recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Filip Technologies found that 70 percent of parents in the United States feel that it is not appropriate to buy a smartphone for a child under 13. The same Harris Interactive survey found that 33 percent of parents with children between the ages of 6 and 12 were likely or very likely to purchase a very small, wearable, child-friendly mobile device that would allow them to call or locate their child in the event of an emergency.

In a CEDN-exclusive interview, I asked Jonathan Peachey, CEO of Filip technologies, about the future of wearables and about 21st century parenting.

CEDN: Do you think that as wearable devices become more common (such as the current-day smartwatch tech boom), the Filip will become more popular with parents and children?

JP: Absolutely. It's for a behavioral reason-- kids take cues from their parents. Wearables will become more popular among adults, and so kids will want to wear them to mimic their parents. The Filip was designed from the perspective of a child from the outset, so it's desirable and kid-friendly. The wearables space is currently in its infancy. While wearable computing and futuristic devices are being discussed with much hype, consumers are skeptical. They wonder if many of these wearable products are something they really need. There is a need for a product that keeps parents and children connected, and the Filip performs that function. Because it's a wearable, kids will lose it less than they would a mobile phone. Filip Technologies is excited for the Filip's success in the wearable space, but is keeping both feet on the ground.

CEDN: How does Filip's FCC certification place it at the forefront of wearable consumer technology?

JP: We're very proud of the FCC certification-- the Filip is the first wearable device with full two-way voice capability. Every consumer device with a radio-transmitting function must undergo a certification process. There are varying degrees of tests, and for those with full mobile capabilities, such as the Filip, the tests are very strict. Three years of engineering effort was spent on the Filip so it could meet those standards-- it was designed to comply with the toughest standards in the industry. This certification is paving the way for the Filip to operate on a national network, and a wireless partner will be announced in the coming weeks.

CEDN: While some people believe that this sort of technology will bring about a generation of helicopter parents and bubble kids, others find this technology to be an advantageous, integrated revolution to how kids will grow up in this new era. Do you have any comments on the future of 21st century parenting?

JP: Personally, I believe there is a natural inclination among parents to be connected to their child, but not too little, and not too much-- balance is necessary. When it comes to mobile devices specifically, parents are concerned about cyberbullying, texting, inappropriate content-- and that's why research shows that parents think their kids shouldn't have smartphones. Instead, parents and kids can balance their connection with the right technology used in the right way. There is no substitute for responsible parenting, but technology like the Filip brings greater freedom to kids and parents. It's interesting to talk to parents with kids in our target group: they are more concerned than ever about their children outside the safety of their home. They are keeping their children indoors, and are even stopping them from attending after-school activities. Their main concerns are not being able to reach their child, or the child not being able to reach the parent. The Filip is enabling kids to be kids again, and parents have the peace of mind that the child can take their parents with them on their adventure.

The Filip will be available for pre-sale in the fall and will ship in time for the 2013 holiday season.
For more information, please visit www.myFilip.com.

Black Hat Las Vegas Announces Record-Breaking Attendance

Today, Black Hat, the world's leading information security event series, announced record-breaking attendance for last week's Las Vegas event, revealing 2014 dates for an expanded Black Hat USA and a new Black Hat Asia event.

Held at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas from July 27^th to August 1^st, Black Hat USA 2013 welcomed more than 7,500 of the world's most renowned security experts, an all-time high. The event featured more content than any previous Black Hat - with 11 simultaneous tracks, 180 of the industry's most cutting edge researchers, and a record 130 companies in the sponsor hall. For news and coverage of the event, and to download all available presentation papers, visit the Black Hat USA 2013 website.

At this year's show, the day one keynote was General Keith Alexander, Director, NSA; Commander U.S. Cyber Command. At a critical time for the U.S., the General took the stage and addressed audiences, making headlines around the world-- of special interest was how he responded to heckling. Black Hat's General Manager, Trey Ford, commented, "The General's appearance underscores the importance of Black Hat and the community's role in the national security debate." To view the complete keynote video and slides, please visit the keynote archives page.

On the heels of this explosive week, Black Hat is rolling out an expanded 2013-2014 schedule for its cutting-edge information security shows, starting with a new dedicated Black Hat Training event featuring the top instructors in the information security industry. Known for connecting the world's leading information security professionals and practitioners, Black Hat Trainings 2013 will take place on December 9-12th, 2013 at the Washington State Convention Center, located in the heart of downtown Seattle, Washington. Each course will be taught by industry and subject matter experts from all over the world who will come together to share insights and experiences with the Black Hat community.

Topping the list of announcements for next year is Black Hat Asia 2014.  Returning to Asia for the first time in a number of years, the event will welcome security professionals, researchers and service providers for two in-depth days of trainings, plus two days of signature conference briefings, alongside a robust sponsor hall. Black Hat Asia 2014 will be held at the Marina Bay Sands Resort in Singapore from March 25th to 28th, 2014.

"As the international InfoSec community continues to grow, along with threats to the global information infrastructure, the time is right for Black Hat to bring a security event of this caliber back to Asia," said Ford.

Celebrating 14 years, Black Hat will return to the Netherlands to host Black Hat Europe 2014 later in the calendar year. Black Hat Europe – the leading security research event in the region, and expanding further – provides two full days of security training courses, followed by two days of briefings, complete with a sponsor hall showcasing the latest industry offerings, tools and technologies. Because of tremendous growth, Black Hat will host the event at the RAI Convention Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on October 14^th to 17^th, 2014.

Finally, as revealed onsite at this year's show, Black Hat USA 2014 will return to Las Vegas in a new expanded venue, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, due to immense interest in and growth of the show. 

Future Black Hat Dates and Events
Black Hat Regional Summit, Sao Paulo, Brazil, November 26-27, 2013
Black Hat Trainings, Seattle, Washington, U.S., December 9-12, 2013 
Black Hat Asia 2014, Singapore, March 25-28, 2014
Black Hat USA 2014, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., August 2-7, 2014
Black Hat Europe 2014, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, October 14-17, 2014

Website: http://www.blackhat.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackHatEvents - hashtag #BlackHat

PRNewswire

The (Augmented) Reality of the Situation: Emerging Trends and Issues

This exciting online conference, with complimentary registration, is set to run at 1:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday, August 1, 2013, headed by Mike Jude, Ph.D. Connected Home Program Manager.

Augmented reality (AR) is here to stay, causing regulators, politicians and network operators to scramble in order to make sense of this new technology.  One thing is certain: AR is not primarily about social networking.  It is a powerful new communication and business tool that will transform such activities as a local directory search. Service providers, and those who provide their technology, must understand AR and prepare to leverage it for new revenue generation.

Why This Matters to You:

• Learn what AR really is (hint: it isn't social networking)
• Understand the public policy and regulatory issues associated with AR
• Pinpoint the opportunities in the AR market, specifically how can you make money using AR

This briefing will significantly benefit communication service providers and network operators in North America by identifying the dynamics of this new market as well as the implicit opportunities.

Supporting Quote

"Augmented reality (AR) is in the news lately, with many expressing concern that it will lead to a loss of privacy," said Stratecast | Frost & Sullivan Program Manager Mike Jude. "However, AR is a transformational technology that is much more important than simply a new form of social networking. It will transform the way we interact with information and the world around us."

Supporting Resources

For more information about Frost & Sullivan's Stratecast practice, please visit: http://stratecast.frost.com

Registration

• To attend the briefing, email [email protected] your full name, job title, company name, company telephone number, company email address and web site, city, state and country.
• Receive a recorded version of the briefing anytime by submitting the aforementioned contact details.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. 

PRNewswire

Matrix Protection Plan Prepares for Launch of Lifetime Electronics Plan, Opens Marketing Office in South Carolina

Matrix Protection announced today that it has opened a national marketing office in South Carolina in preparation for the scheduled launch of its revolutionary Lifetime Electronics Plan. This plan offers one warranty that covers all consumer electronics products of a single user, at a price point under $20 a month.

The Matrix Protection Lifetime Electronics Plan will stand in place of those costly, store-bought extended service and repair warranties. Instead of paying large premiums for each electronic device, all of a user's eligible electronic devices (new and refurbished) are now covered with a monthly fee.

"The Matrix Electronics Protection Plan covers all of your new and refurbished electronics. Our feature packed plan offers consumers a fantastic value at only a fraction of the cost of traditional extended warranties. With no expiration date on the protection plan, consumers can rest assured with the knowledge that their electronics are guaranteed to function as intended for years after the manufacturer's warranty has expired," said Jay Tuerk, Co-Founder of Matrix Protection.

Every Matrix Electronics Service Plan is fully insured, and value depreciation will not factor into the protection of an electronic device. If a protected product is beyond repair and a replacement product is not available, Matrix Protection will cover the cost of the original purchase price.

Look for other Matrix Protection Warranty Plans in the marketplace around September 2013 including Home Warranty, Furniture Warranty and Auto Warranty Coverages. All are backed by an "A" Rated Insurance Carrier.

To learn more about the Lifetime Electronics Plan go to: http://www.matrixprotectionwarranty.com.  

PRNewswire