Google lets you know if you’re on a Wi-Fi-ready flight

If you can’t stand being disconnected for a few hours while in transit or just want to be ready beforehand, Google’s Flight Search will let you know if you’re getting on a flight with Wi-Fi. The search giant partnered with Routehappy, a flight-rating service to provide you with the information. It also shows you if you’re provided with in-seat power outlets, seat type, and on-demand video. This is a good way to manage your expectations before your flight.

Source: Routehappy | Via: Engadget

Twitter acquires live-video streaming company Periscope

Perhaps in a move to get more advertisers or users in general to use their social network, Twitter has acquired Periscope, a live streaming startup. They wouldn’t say what inspired the acquisition or for how much. But it makes sense for a company like Twitter to integrate live streaming into its service. People are already using the service to talk about events as they happen. Why wouldn’t they integrate the video aspect as well? As to how this would happen, we don’t have an idea at the moment. But you better prepare to see live-video streams on your timeline soon.

Source: Periscope | Via: Engadget

MasterCard offers a glimpse of the future in wearable tech

By Sonya Davidson

At Dx3 this week in Toronto, MasterCard Canada had invited us to step into their 'Retail Collective' and visit the changeroom of the future. It's a mind-boggling look at ways that could change the way consumers approach retailers and the way we shop. 

We're now in the phase of no-card-present payment technology with the use of our mobile devices and Apple Pay, but at Dx3, MasterCard took it several steps further pointing us to the future working with wearable technology like the Nymi Band - that uses biometrics to authenticate in-store purchases. Could this be the ideal solution for a better security system?

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Microsoft's Cortana is invading iOS and Android devices this Fall

You gotta love Microsoft's new direction of making sure their best software is available to users on any device and any platform. It seems their voice assistant Cortana is being readied to transcend platforms and has been confirmed to be headed to iPhones, iPads and Android devices as well as Windows 10 PCs.

Cortana is expected to come as a standalone app to rival operating systems in the fall (sorry, no BlackBerry version is planned). This will give users on iOS and Android anoter option to Siri or Google Now.

Source: The Verge