iOS 7 beta 4 reveals fingerprint scanner feature possible in next iPhone

Some folks digging around the developer version of iOS 7 beta 4 have uncovered a Biometric Kit which when paired with the fact that Apple purchased semiconductor-based Authentec last Summer for $356 million, then it is likely that Apple might include a fingerprint scanner for added security and access control in upcoming iOS devices.

Authentec makes fingerprint sensor chips used in personal computers and mobile devices. More than just access control, Authentec can add functionality to the home button of most iOS devices by making them more accurate cursors as well as access specific functions or apps upon verification.

Source: AppleInsider

Motorola officially unveils the Moto X, coming to Canada exclusively with Rogers

This afternoon, live in New York City, Motorola officially unveiled their newest flagship Android device, the Moto X. Launching in a both white and black (Canada), Rogers has announced an exclusive on the Canadian launch slated for the end of this month and says it will go for $189.99 on a 2-year term. The Moto X features: a 4.7-inch 720p display, a 1.7Ghz dual-core X8 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage (non-expandable), a 2200mAh battery, and run stock Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean out of the box.

Billed as the device that is "ready when you are", it has an even deeper "Google Now" integration offering the now recognizable "OK Google" that we have grown accustomed to from Google Glass. It also offers a more intuitive camera, allowing its users' to access the camera for photos with the flick of a wrist.

Of course, because it is a Rogers exclusive, those interested can drop their $40 and add themselves to the MotoX reservation list here.

Stay tuned for more on an official release date when we attend the hands-on in Toronto in the coming weeks.

[via RogersRedboard]

Dick Tracy eat your heart out, say hello to the "HOT" watch!

With the plethora of 'connected' watches hitting the internet at a rapid pace, it's hard to distinguish between the good, bad, and downright ugly. With Waterloo-based Pebble, we were introduced to the first beautifully made e-paper designed watch created to be a true extension of the device we hold so dear to our hearts. However, this extension was only meant to compliment notifications and quick-replies; it did not account for phone calls - frankly, in comparison, no other watch released this past year (MetaWatch, Sony's SmartWatch, et all) have been able to either. 

Enter the new darling of Kickstarter, the HOT Watch, a connected watch aimed at being "everything to everyone". 

Click to read more ...

BBM for iOS and Android reaches BetaZone, release imminent

Since BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins made the announcement at BlackBerry Live in May about BBM going cross-platform, the internet (and BlackBerry fanboys) have been in a tizzy about when the switch would be finally flipped. 

Well, wait no more, BBM for iOS and Android is literally around the corner.

What you're looking at above is an email from BlackBerry's BetaZone team to one lucky user being invited to try the application out on their ICS(or higher)-powered Android device. All they're asked to do is fill out a form and they'll be "granted access" to a pre-release build. This often means that a final public version is just around the corner.

As I anxiously await my invite, I ask if any of our readers have received the faithful golden ticket seen above and if they've had the time to get on the program and download it. Let us know!

[via BBOS]