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

DJI trying out GPS-based flight restrictions for its drones

As drones have been growing in popularity, some of them have been ending up in places they shouldn’t be in. And this doesn’t bode well with governments. DJI’s solution for this issue is called the Geospatial Environment Online or GEO for short. It’s a geofencing system that will keep drones from taking off in restricted areas. However, there is a workaround to this. If you have a verified DJI account and a credit card on file, you can have DJI turn off the restrictions for you temporarily—as long as it shows you can be financially accountable for this. But there will still be certain areas that will remain as “unlockable no-fly zones” like Washington D.C.

The GEO is in beta at the moment and you can request access to the app on iOS by emailing flysafe@dji.com or download the Android APK. You have to update the firmware on the drone as well. But if using unstable software is your thing, a final version should be coming out soon.

Source: DJI | Via: Engadget

Microsoft has a selfie app on iOS (just because)

Microsoft has been working hard to bring its apps and services to users. So, this time they address a popular need… the need to have good selfies. Aptly named Microsoft Selfie, the iOS app promises to improve those countless selfies you take by doing things like instantly adjusting exposure and clearing up skin imperfections. The app also works to reduce noise while taking into account things like age, gender, skin tone, and lighting. You can add filters, too. Of course you can also adjust the amount of processing the app has done if it seems so excessive for you.

Source: Microsoft News | Via: Engadget | Download: Apple App Store (Free)

JAQ is a compact fuel cell charger for your smartphone

If you want an alternative for charging your smartphone while on the go, myFC has the JAQ fuel cell charger. Dubbed as the smallest fuel cell charger, it is a five volt/one amp device that’s powered by a PowerCard, which fits into the fuel cell. Loaded with salt and water, the hydrogen produced when placed in the JAQ will charge your mobile device. Made with recycled materials, it has 1,800mAh capacity. It’ll give you one full charge before you have to dispose it.

myFC said they’ve shipped out the first batch of the JAQ. No specifics have been given about availability and price. But it will cost users supposedly $5.35 per month on a 24-month plan. But there aren’t details yet how much it’ll cost after that or how many are included in the initial bundle. More details should come to light at CES.

Source: Gizmag | Via: Android Community