Messaging service Viber now has end-to-end encryption and PIN protected chats

Followinfg in the stead of WhatsApp which introduced tighter encryption in its messages weeks ago, monster messaging service Viber is now inluding end-to-end encryption for its messages as well as PIN protected chats. In what is considered a direct result of Apple's recent debacle with the FBI regarding iPhone hacking and security, various messaging providers are enabling higher levels of encryption for their customers.

Viber has more than 700 million users globally across iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and desktop. “We take our users’ security and privacy very seriously, and it’s critical to us that they feel confident and protected when using Viber,” explained Michael Shmilov, COO of Viber. “Because of this, we have spent a long time working on this latest update to ensure that our users have the most sophisticated security available and maximum control over their communications. We will continue to make this an ongoing priority as digital communication evolves.”

Click to read more ...

Turo's peer-to-peer car rental service launches in Canada

Pioneering car rental marketplace Turo announces today its launch into Canada, marking its first expansion outside of the US. Empowering Canadians to turn their idle cars into earning engines and inject more personality and value into the car rental experience, Turo is the first peer-to-peer car rental company in Canada. 

Putting Canada’s 23 million vehicles to better use, Turo allows car owners to offset the cost of car ownership by renting their idle vehicles to pre-approved travellers, while helping travellers find the perfect vehicle for their next adventure. Cars rented on Turo typically cost 30 per cent less than traditional car rentals. Members of the Turo community pay no membership fees, and each trip is backed by Turo’s leading trust and safety protections, including $2 million in auto liability insurance and 24-hour roadside assistance.  

Click to read more ...

Apple updates MacBook line with latest processors and new Rose Gold colour

Apple's MacBook has received an upgrade. The ultra-thin and compact notebook now features sixth-generation dual-core Intel Core M processors up to 1.3 GHz, with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.1 GHz, and faster 1866 MHz memory. New Intel HD Graphics 515 deliver up to 25 percent faster graphics performance, and faster PCIe-based flash storage adds substantial speed. Apple seems to have retained the single USB Type-C port from last year's MacBook.

The new MacBook offers up to 10 hours of wireless web browsing and up to 11 hours of iTunes movie playback. MacBooks are offered in Silver, Space Grey, Gold and now Rose Gold. Pricing in Canada is as follows. The 1.1 GHz dual-core Intel Core m3 processor, 8GB of memory and 256GB of flash storage for $1,549 (CAD), and with a 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Core m5 processor, 8GB of memory and 512GB of flash storage for $1,899 (CAD). Configure-to-order options include a 1.3 GHz dual-core Intel Core m7 processor. The MacBook Air line also got an update of sorts now with 8GB of RAM standard across all models. For our review of last year's MacBook click here.

Web-based Skype calling now available on Microsoft Edge browser

Users of the Microsoft Edge browser on Windows 10 can now use a wev-based version of Skype calling. Starting today, you can preview the Skype free voice, video and group video calling in the browser.

“We want to make it easy for anyone to connect on Skype,” The Skype team writes in a new post to the Garage & Updates blog. “We know people don’t want to worry about what device the person they want to speak to has close by – they just want Skype to work.”

Starting today, you can use Microsoft Edge to visit Skype for Web,Outlook.com, Office Online and OneDrive and engage in Skype free voice, video and group video calls without first installing a plug-in/extension.

“Skype calls on the web are hassle free,” Microsoft explains, “for the hundreds of millions of you that use Outlook.com every day, to those that visit Skype.com wanting to make a call or anyone preparing a presentation on PowerPoint online; plugin free calling enables quick-fire chat and collaboration, making it easier to get things done together, with anyone, anywhere. No matter where you are, Skype calling on the web is now just a tap away, right there, ready to go.”

For users of Chrome and Firefox, you will still need a plug-in to perform some Skype calls from the browser.

Source: Thurrot.com