MasterCard and Syniverse work on geolocation-based security check

Capitalizing on the growing number of smartphone users, especially those that travel abroad, MasterCard, working together with Syniverse, has announced a new security system that aims to keep travelers from losing their patience and their money. A new security system uses something that almost everyone has with them when traveling to another country: their smartphones.

This new security system isn't exactly new and sounds like a variant of the two-step authentication process. But instead of of using the smartphone to enter a secondary login code, like in some web services, MasterCard's proposed system makes use of the GPS functionality found in most smartphones today. In essence, if the smartphone is located in the same place where the card is used, then the transaction is approved. According to MasterCard, this reduces the instances of both unauthorized attempts and declined but valid transactions.

There is one practical hitch in that ideal system, however. Users are most likely to turn off their device's mobile data when in another country in order to prevent expensive roaming charges. This, however, nullifies MasterCard's premise. In order to encourage users to keep their mobile connections enabled, they will be offered prepaid data packages that they can buy directly from their device the moment they arrive in another country.

MasterCard and Syniverse announced their collaboration earlier this week at MWC 2014. The two plan to bring in carriers. brands, and advertisers into this system, who will be able to use the system to push location-based offers, like promos, discounts, and ads when users use a card or even walk nearby a certain location.

SOURCE: MasterCard

Plex update brings in Chromecast audio streaming and content mirroring

Plex has just announced an update to its media player system that will give users something to enjoy this weekend. While there are new features across the board, bulk of the update revolves around enhancements to its Chromecast support.

More than just flinging videos to watch, users can now also cast other types of media as well, turning Chromecast-enabled TVs into jukeboxes or a giant slideshow to show off those vacation photographs. But of course, videos are still the numero uno use case for a deadly Plex and Chromecast combo, so the developers at Plex hunkered down to make video streaming even better. Videos will now play more reliably and smoothly and even 1080p videos will require less transcoding. And in case you don't want to go solo for your next movie or TV marathon, Plex now offers Chromecast content mirroring. This will let you display things such as artists, episodes, albums, and other information both on your mobile device and on the screen for everyone to see.

Moving away from Chromecast features, the Plex update also brings an interesting new feature. Called Shared Sync, this allows other people to sync from your Plex server, even when they don't have a Plex Pass account, which is perfect for sharing with family members. And speaking of servers, the Plex media server is inching closer to that celebrated 1.0 milestone and is now faster than ever before.

The new Chromecast features, particularly content mirroring and audio and photo streaming require the latest Android app. Other features such as enhanced video streaming and shared sync will need the updated Plex media server as well.

SOURCE: Plex

Story Timeline

• Plex for Android update teased ahead of public release


• Plex for Android 3.0 leaves beta and arrives in the Play Store


• Chromecast may be getting Plex functionality soon


• Chromecast update adds support for ten new apps, including Plex

Project Ara slated for launch in early 2015

Given the recent developer conference announcement, we realized Google is quite intent on turning Project Ara into an actual product for sale. What we didn't know was how close it actually is to doing that. Now the Project Ara lead, Paul Eremenko, has revealed that a functional prototype will be ready within weeks and that a finished commercial product could be out in the market by the first quarter next year.

It seems that Google has really thought of everything in making a retail product. It all starts with an endoskeleton or endo, the only part of the modular smartphone that will bear Google's name. This is an aluminum frame that, as the name suggests, holds everything in place. Front modules, like LCDs, speakers, and buttons, are held down by latches. The ones on the back will stick to the endo using electropermanent magnets. Modules communicate via networking circuitry on the endo. With each module measuring only 4 mm thick, the whole thing ends up at around 9-10 mm. Not the perfect smartphone, admittedly, but things it could have been worse.

Google has even thought of the marketing. It envisions that majority will be sold as "greyphones", bare-bones versions sold in convenience stores for $50 a pop. This very basic smartphone will include an app that will suggest more modules to owners. Modular phones can also be sold in kiosks, through a selection process that grows from Google's experience with the Moto Maker. And like in Moto Maker, buyers will have options to design their own enclosures or covers, going as far as having them made using 3D printers.

This all sounds like a dream, and in fact that is what many naysayers have called Project Ara. The modular smartphone doesn't just turn your concept of a smartphone inside out, it also turns the whole mobile business upside down. If the idea catches on, manufacturers will no longer just be vying for pricey contracts to provide components for smartphone makers. They will be selling components themselves as modules. The competition will definitely get tougher as well.

Eremenko, however, believes that all doubts will be dispelled the moment they get a fully functioning product out. But though they seem to be near that goal post, there are still a few bumps they have to smooth out. Currently, production costs are still far away from the $50 price that Google is reaching for. But there is another factor going against Project Ara's favor. Traditionally, Advanced Technologies and Projects (ATAP), which grew out from the US Department of Defense' DARPA, gives teams only two years to work on a project. Considering the Project Ara team has already been working on this long before Phonebloks made its Internet pitch, they are running out of time before they hand over Project Ara to Google to nurture into a real business, and something with a hopefully better product name.

SOURCE: TIME

Story Timeline

• Phonebloks reveals a modular smartphone concept


• Motorola Project Ara takes on the modular smartphone challenge


• Phonebloks' Dave Hakkens talks about plans, partnership with Motorola


• Motorola's Project Ara modular smartphones tap 3D Systems for manufacturing


• Google's Project ARA to get first Developer's Conference this April

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