Uber celebrates its billionth ride

Disruptive transport service and app Uber recently completed its billionth ride in London, England. The company, which is quite remarkable for a company that was launched in 2010 and is now operating across the globe.

Uber has been met with resistance in a number of countries, including right here in Toronto, Canada where it has faced off against traditional taxi services. Despite these challenges, Uber has a valuation of US $56 billion plus a sustained momentum due to the convenience and general reliability. Uber allows subscribers to the app to instantly find various types of taxis, SUVs or limousines and payments are handled via the app which also serves as a rating system for both riders and passengers. Uber has also launched UberEats, which aims to change the way food delivery is done in certain cities.

Source: Engadget via AutoBlog

Windows 10 is making up almost 10 % of desktop OS market share

A report released today claims that Windows 10 has a 9.96 per cent share of the desktop OS market. The report from Net Applications explains that there has been a steady adoption rate since Windows 10 was made available and mostly for free in July 2015. Windows 10 is famously used on all devices ranging from PC sticks to smartphones, tablets, 2-in-1's, Ultrabooks, notebooks, desktops, the Xbox One, Hololens and even the large Surface Hub.

Windows 7 is still the dominant OS as per the report, with a 55.68 per cent share, Windows XP still has 10.93 per cent market share and Windows 8.1 owns 10.30 per cent share. Windows 10 is installed on 200 million devices and is on track to get 1 billion installs in three years, a target Microsoft announced during the OS's launch.

Source: Net Applications via Windows Central

Airplane seat concept wants to make your next flight a comfy one

Unless you can afford the super duper deluxe flights offered by some airlines, airplane seats aren’t particularly comfortable, especially during long-haul flights. FactoryDesign has a solution in mind with its Twister Seat concept. Using the human body itself as an inspiration, the seat is constructed around a spine-and-rib-like skeletal structure that shifts is shape as you move in it. So, for example, you want to sleep on your side? The Twister Seat can accommodate you. Now, can someone bring this to our planes soon?

Source: Travel+Leisure

Apple patent hits at almost-universal integration of mobile payments

Patents sometimes don’t translate to actual products. But they do hint at what’s possible for a company. Tech giant Apple looks to be expanding its peer-to-peer mobile payment system beyond iMessage. A recently filed patent application by the company suggests they are looking to integrate the mobile payment system into other iOS services such as a phone call, an email, and even calendar events. This means, if Apple intends to develop this, you can use your iPhone and its many apps and services to easily make payments. Now, that is convenient.

Source: Quartz