Important announcements
Facebook launches React VR, an open source JavaScript framework for building VR apps
The new framework is based on React, which is the user interface code that powers websites like Facebook and Instagram. React VR lets you import 360 panoramic images and 3D models into a scene, add text and images, and implement interactivity with the same style of code normally used to make a website.
You can read more here.
Samsung is blocking users from customizing the Galaxy S8’s Bixby button
It was previously reported that a third-party app would be able to change the button’s purpose; instead of opening Samsung’s personal assistant, perhaps some users would prefer that it trigger Google Assistant, launch the camera, or open a favorite app. According to a post at XDA Developers, a new Galaxy S8 firmware update from Samsung now shuts down the ability to remap the Bixby button.
More info are available here.
Mastercard introduces a credit card with a fingerprint sensor
Mastercard has unveiled its new biometric card, which combines chip technology with fingerprints to verify the cardholder’s identity for in-store purchases. The card includes a small fingerprint reader and can store up to two fingerprints on its chip. The new cards are currently being tested in South Africa, and MasterCard hopes to launch them out to the rest of the world by the end of 2017.
You can read more here.
Top new products
Moto Z2 Force
The phone will have a 5.5-inch display and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor. Moto Z2 Force will have dual cameras on the back and a fingerprint scanner on the front.
More info here.
HTC U
HTC U will have a 5.5-inch WQHD display and Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor. The device will come with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage or 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
More info here.
Samsung Galaxy Book
According to Samsung, the tablet will be available for purchase starting on the 21st of April. It will come with Windows 10 and it will be available in two sizes (10.6-inches and 12-inches) and with two different forms of connectivity, LTE and Wi-Fi.
More info here.
Top interesting info
Microsoft replaces the password with a phone-based log-in
Microsoft’s phone sign-in works similarly to Google’s sign-in. It uses a mobile app (available for iOS, Android and Windows Phone) to confirm user’s identity, but it will be no need to type a password when signing on to Microsoft services. Once users have set up their Microsoft Account in the app, they can enable phone sign-in through the settings menu.
You can read more here.
Google will build an ad-blocker into Chrome
According to The Wall Street Journal, Google – which makes most of its money from online ads – intends to enable its ad-blocker by default in the desktop and mobile versions of Chrome. The browser’s ad blocking will target bad advertisements including pop-ups, autoplaying ads with sound, page-blocking time countdowns and others.
More info can be found here.
Intel discontinues Intel Developer Forum by cancelling IDF17
The company says the conference is no longer necessary as it shifts its focus away from chips for PCs. “Intel has evolved its event portfolio and decided to retire the IDF program moving forward”, said the company on its IDF website. The conference took place at multiple locations around the world each year and focused on Intel’s products.
You can read more here.
