Posted: 17 Nov 2013 05:00 AM PST
PayPal veteran Kanishk Parashar has founded a new company called Coin, which aims to build a better credit card.
Unlike contact less payment technologies, which tried to change the way we use our cards, Coin is trying to reduce all the debit, credit, gift and loyalty cards that clog up a wallet into one single piece of plastic. Basically it is a universal credit card that can reprogram its magnetic stripe on the fly to match any card you load into it.
It is about the size of a standard credit card but contains an interface that allows the user to cycle through stored cards. There is a small screen, which displays the user’s name, expiration dates, security codes and any other information that a merchant would need to accept a transaction, although not a signature.
The device connects to iOS or Android smartphones via Bluetooth. The app along with an accompanying mag-stripe dongle, allow new cards to be loaded and existing cards to be managed. This means there is no need for an internet connection in order for it to work.
All of the data is secured by 128-bit encryption, with Bluetooth adding the extra layer of protection needed for such sensitive information. If the device loses radio contact with the phone, it will lock and send an alert to the user. If the phone battery dies or Bluetooth loses connection, then Coin can be unlocked with a code.
The device is powered by a non-replaceable battery, which is said to last two years. Parashar says it is designed to take a lot more abuse than the average credit card, being shock and water resistant. Also the strip will not demagnetise in the presence of other magnets, credit cards or electronics.
Coin, which has the backing of Y Combinator and K9 Ventures, still needs to raise funds to manufacture the device. Therefore Parashar is seeking to raise $50,000 through crowdfunding. But rather than going through Kickstarter or Indiegogo, it is taking pre-orders through its website. The first to pledge will get the device for $50, that’s a reduction of 50 percent compared with the $100 retail price. Parashar expects the first shipments to reach buyers next summer.
[Image via genius-inc]
The post Reduce A Bulky Wallet With The Coin Universal Credit Card appeared first on TechBeat.
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Posted: 17 Nov 2013 04:00 AM PST
We all want to do more to be environmentally conscious, don’t we? Most among us would agree that we should change a few things in our lives to help the planet. What about cycling to work? Or does that make you feel uncomfortable? What with all the sweaty mess that you turn into after cycling to the workplace. Some feel it is a big turn off. But all is not lost, as a firm in the US has developed something that might be of interest to you.
FlyKly’s Smart Wheel can lock, track and powers your bike. And it can also recharge your mobile phone! FlyKly, is a firm based in New York and they have developed the Smart Wheel, a pedal assist technology which aims to help cyclists ride their bikes “effortlessly”. According to FlyKly, the wheel, which has a lightweight 250W motor and battery attached to it, will fit to “practically any bicycle frame” and the designers make this technology to come in a variety of different colours and sizes to suit your needs.
Using the accompanying FlyKly app, which is compatible with iOS, Android and Pebble, the motor can be set to a desired top speed for cycling (the top speed is 20mph!) Once the app gathers information regarding your regular cycle routes, it will then be able to suggest alternative safer and quicker routes for you. The Smart Wheel’s app also monitors your regular routes, offering faster or more scenic paths for you to take, and there is a clip on light that also acts as both a dock and simultaneous charger for your smartphone!
FlyKly’s Smart Wheel can fit on to any bike and charges in three to four hours. The Smart Wheel charges within a few hours and even recharges itself when you cycle downhill. While cycling, the bike also generates enough energy to power a small light fitted to the bike. When it comes to wheel protection, the motor can be remotely locked via a companion app and in the unfortunate event of your new bike wheel being stolen, it can be tracked on a smartphone using GPS.
The sad news is currently, the Smart Wheel is only a prototype. To generate the funding needed to put the Smart Wheel into mass production, FlyKly has taken the campaign to Kickstarter, the crowdfunding website. The initial $100,000 goal was achieved some time ago and now at the time of writing, the next target of $400,000 has just been reached. With the new funding the firm is able to develop a motor brake for the wheel. If the level of funding reaches another $100,000 then the Smart Wheel will glow in the dark, (another bonus to safety?).
Is this a good idea? Is it green enough? Would the theft factor be too high? As always your comments are welcome.
[Image via tracer]
The post FlyKly’s Smart Wheel Powers Your Bike & Charges Your Phone appeared first on TechBeat.
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Posted: 17 Nov 2013 03:00 AM PST
When the sun comes out, so does everyone’s sunglasses. Sayalee Kaluskar from India has come up with the genuis idea of pairing sunglasses with solar power, so the wearer can charge a mobile phone.
The plan is to incorporate photovoltaic cells that are wired to a battery buried within the arms of a pair of sunglasses. While you enjoy the sunshine, the cells within your sunglasses charge the battery. Once you go inside, the arm comes off, revealing a microUSB or Lightening connector that can then be plugged into your phone and charge it.
Now the first thing that may pop into your head is “Oh great, another piece of wearable tech that will make me look stupid,” but Kaluskar has been smart about this and employed the help of on-trend Ray-Ban.
The idea is to build this concept into a pair of classic Ray-Ban Wayfarers, so for the tech lovers who are also fashion conscious, this is the perfect “pair”.
The post Ray-Ban Sunglasses Feature Sun-Powered Phone Charger appeared first on TechBeat.
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Posted: 17 Nov 2013 02:00 AM PST
Windows Phone users can finally capture those all important moments, in six-second bursts, as Vine for Windows Phone has finally been rolled out. In a similar manner to the Android and iOS apps, Windows Phone users can just tap and hold the screen to begin filming a short video of their wonderful life for the world to see.
The software has built-in camera tools, such as grid, focus, and the recently introduced ghost feature (introduced over the summer) with the ability to “re-vine” a video. All these features allow the user to take full advantage of their Windows Phone’s front- and rear-facing cameras. Users can also use the Explore feature to search for posts or browse various channels and find friends already on Vine. Following Twitter’s 2012 acquisition of video startup Vine, the site launched its version of the app in January, first on the iOS platform and then later on Android. During last month’s Nokia event, the micro-blogging company revealed plans to bring Vine to its Windows Phone-based devices “soon.” Windows Phone users have the option to pin their favourite Vine accounts to their Live Tiles home screen. The Microsoft platform allows for multitasking with the Pivots feature.
“We love to see what each person contributes to Vine, and we’re excited to welcome Windows Phone users to the community,” designer Ryan Swigart wrote in a blog post. The application has been made available for download in the Windows Phone marketplace.
Vine hopes that their patience has paid off. Windows Phone owners will get the most recent version of the app, which includes the new Sessions and Time Travel features. In other news, both Flipboard and Instagram are also expected to launch their products on the Windows Phone platform soon.
The post Twitter Launches Vine for Windows Phone appeared first on TechBeat.
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Monday 18 November 2013
Reduce A Bulky Wallet With The Coin Universal Credit Card
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