Google is Killing Its Experimental Hands Free Payment App

From March of last year, Google has been testing a new payment method that enables customers to pay for goods with their smartphones without touching it! This new innovation was aptly named Hands Free.

Google’s pilot app Hands Free was currently in its early stages of testing limited to only a handful of businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area.

What is Hands Free?

Hands Free is an app developed by Google that lets you check-out in stores without actually using your wallet or phone. This app was available to download for free on for android systems on Play Store and for iOS on Apple Store.

How does it work? 

Hands Free uses Bluetooth, Wifi and location services to detect whether you are near a participating store. When you have bought the things you want and are ready to check-out, all you need to do is tell the cashier “I’ll pay with Google”. The hands free profile will contain your photo identity and signature using which the cashier will then confirm your identity. The cashier will charge you only when Hands Free detects your Phone is near the store. Thus there is no need for you to take out your phone or even launch the app!

Why is it being Shut Down?

Google’s innovative experiment got its life cut down short by the latest announcement of it being shut down on 8th of February this year by Google itself. Official statement released by Google states that from the first launching of the pilot program, they were able to collect and learn a lot about the possible effects of the app from its adopters. This information along with numerous positive feedbacks would be used to develop a better version of hands Free that would be available to a larger number of people and stores. To focus their efforts on the new Hand’s Free, the current pilot version is being shut down.

With that being said, there is no definite time as to when the improved Hands Free would be out so similar alternatives like “Android pay” which offers easy and quick check-outs can be used. All the user information like pictures and signatures uploaded would be deleted to uphold the privacy of the users. To keep in touch with the development and news related to Hands Free, you can provide your email to get updates.

The verdict

Will Google give a brand new direction to the way people shop? The answer to that can be found when Hands Free is released yet again but this time with the full version. The promising results from the pilot experiment certainly yielded some beneficial results and it can be speculated that if Google decides to fully commit their efforts on delivering on the finished Hands Free app, it will be hugely popular. After all Google did promise to bring best of Hands Free technology to a wider audience base. As of now Hands Free has been shut down.

Lack of Cyber Security Poses Threat to Modern Cars

Cars have evolved so much from being a machine only used for transportation to an all-round smart transport system, integrated with accurate navigation, music and cameras. But as all good things have their own vulnerabilities, equipping cars with accessible technology risks the danger of it being hacked. All cars manufactured in EU should be connected via emergency Call (eCall) services by the month of April in 2018. However these simple mobile devices are not built strong enough to keep away hackers and malicious programs. A research conducted by Hebert Leenstra at the Cyber Security Academy in Hague on Automotive industry, inclines that car manufacturers should take the lead on protecting people from increasing cyber threats.

Modern day cars, including cars that can self-drive are in constant connection with its surroundings. Microchips have been used in almost every car system which controls the basic functioning of the car such as navigation system, music system and managing the car engine. Microchip uses Wifi, Bluetooth, and 4G/5G services to communicate to other cars or networks. A hacker can easily gain access to the car’s network via the internet. The most vulnerable part is the CAN bus where all the vehicle’s ICT systems are stored. A hacker who has gained access to the CAN bus can virtually control the car such as changing speed and applying brakes.

Everything wrong with modern cars

There are some basic flaws and defects in the ICT structure of modern day vehicles that can be exploited by hackers. The entertainment system is often linked with the engine in most of the cars even though there is no apparent reason for these two to be linked together. Also modern day cars rely on using the internet for their navigation systems which can easily be hacked.

What can be done to improve Cyber security?

The research carried out by Leenstra has identified several steps that car manufacturers can take to protect their customers. The first thing car manufacturers should do is change their Can bus design so that essential and non-essential systems are separated making them less vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The government needs to reevaluate their policy that prevents car manufacturers from providing extended support to car software, security and firmware updates. The implementation of the update, which is done via the internet or by a USB stick, should also be reviewed as the UDB device can hold back all kinds of information.

A broader approach could be taken by governments, dealers and insurers in spreading knowledge and information about cyber security. Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (ISAC) established in the United States have taken an aggressive step to stop Cyber-crimes. All parties within the ISAC share information and experiences regarding Cyber-attacks, which Europe can learn from and adapt.

The ICT structures of the modern day cars needs to be completely revamped to ensure customer safety. With the incidents of hacking becoming more frequent, it is necessary to implement measures as soon as possible.

Space Farming: Satellite's Greenhouses to Simulate Moon, Mars Gravity

DLR

 The space science has crossed over a long way and registered some memorable achievements, which have changed the scenario and the basic approaches to the scientific research and applications. Almost half a century ago, the first step of a human was made on the lunar surface and now people, attached to the space research, are planning for Mars and beyond to stretch the horizon of the study and to touch newer feats. One of the major issue in the space research is the quest for the presence of life in other planet and or in somewhere in this universe and there are some magnificent achievements have already been acquired by the team of scientists, working in various space research agencies.

Today, there are in-depth studies are being carried out to ascertain the condition or creating an atmosphere, where life can be sustained and a favorable condition for the sustenance of the living bodies may be possible in one way or other. As part of this mission, there is a planning to launch a satellite, in the later part of the year, which will conduct an experiment on plant growth in both the lunar and also on the Martian gravity, to provide some useful assistance in the preparation of the future settlements for the human, along with, other living creatures and bodies.

Some Important Features

• As per the plan, the EU: CROPIS space capsule will be rotating around the own axis in the low-Earth orbit and at an approximate altitude of 600 km. In the initial stage of first six months, the satellite will produce almost the same gravitational force of the moon and after that, in the next six months, it will replicate the Martian gravity. 
• It can be noted that at this time in space, tomato seeds be germinated and the same will grow into tiny space tomatoes and this incident will be covered by 16 nos. of onboard cameras, which will capture and document the progress of these tomatoes. To support this program, microorganisms, which are contained in a drip filter, will use an ingredient like synthetic urine that would produce effective fertilizer for those important tomatoes. 
• As said by the EU: CROPIS team members; the Euglena microbes will provide support in producing oxygen for the entire system and it would be supplied with necessary protection against the presence of excess ammonia. The Euglena microbes and tomatoes are requiring day/ night rhythm and to make it possible, LED lights will be used to get the perfect ambiance and condition and also a pressure tank is being used, which is having the potential of replicating Earth’s atmosphere. 
• In essence, the principal plan is to simulate and test the greenhouses, which will be assembled inside the Martian or Lunar habitat and provide localized source of fresh food for the crew members. The entire process of farming will be supported, managed and controlled by the theme of "Waste to Fertilizer"- as mentioned by Hauslage, the head of the scientific component of this much hyped EU: CROPIS mission.

Scientists Have Imaged Light Going Faster Than Itself

At the University of Washington in St. Louis a group of researchers have taken instances of a laser that generates an optical shock where a Mach cone is being equivalent to a sonic boom, only for light. It is necessary to have an optical Mach cone, which is a pulse of light to travel faster in comparison to the emitting waves.

But, the researchers have proved their excellence by developing features of a laser beam that will interact separately with velocity, wavelength, and frequency. They have tried and directed the laser beam pass through a nuanced confection of panels of silicone, aluminum oxide powder, and dry ice. The crux of the whole procedure was to figure out that light moves faster than the generating waves as they pass in terms with the layers, and leaves behind the Optical Mach cone.

In order to capture the cone, the researchers have set up CCD cameras beside the apparatus that generates cone. One of the camera was a steak one, which is very beneficial in exfoliating the movement of all the charged particles that will create a distinguished profile for the pulse that will enable the waveform to be characterized in 3-space over the time period.

With the use of steak camera and the CCD, the researchers have managed to capture a 2D sequence of the pictures from almost three perspectives that too in a single take. After this they stroked the picture like a CAT, inorder to scan it to make the cone into a 3D model.

The lead author of this experiment called Jinyang Laing has declared that this development is done not only in terms with physics, but in neuroscience as well. He further adds that such an imagining can capture and develop 100 billion frames that too in flick of seconds. He even added that if the temporal resolution is of this sort then the day is not far away when they will be able to get hold of neurons being fired in real time.

There are several epitomizing ways through which we can visualize several things which are actually invisible and goes at a speed that regulate shockwaves and these are none other than the Mach diamonds.

Mach diamonds are a set of waves that are invisible, present in the form of an exhaust plume and are most commonly found in the Raptor’s fiery tail. They are also known as thrust diamonds and there are ample reasons why they are a familiar sight to everyone and are seemed to be discovered behind F-16s, F-22s, and the SR-71 Blackbird. Though, a suitable attitude is desirable to get a clear vision of these thrust diamonds behind the Blackbird.

Shockwaves are quiet easy to be photographed if your camera setup is accurate. This is generally photographed with the help of a method called Schlieren, which ensures images being captured at a very high speed and it simultaneously compares the image with the background in order to be sure to locate the exact position through which the wave must have distorted through the frame.

New Smartwatch Software May Now Verify Your Signatures

A new software has been unveiled by the researchers of Tel Aviv University and Ben-Gurion University that will enable the smartwatches to verify the handwritten signatures. We all know that a handwritten signature is still the most reliable verification of a person’s identity. In recent times there have been fake signatures that can lead to unjust verification of identities. But with this new development in the field of technology all such discrepancies can be avoided as this smart launch will now ensure the power to be in just hands as none will be able to escape from its spell and the true identity of the individual can be verified in no time.

This additional feature that will be included in the watches making the watches a smart watch will be enforced into the market by the year 2020. The way we are dependent on the justness of the signature this immediate remedy was very much needed.

These days we are all well aware that signatures on a digital pad or signing using an electric pen has replaced the traditional method of using pen and paper but all this advancements needs to be verified before accepting their accuracy.

The new software that is developed by Dr. Shmueli and Alona Levy, who is his student, in association with Professor Yuval Elovici from BGU, Department of Software and Information Systems Engineering along with his student Ben Nassi is capable of developing any common smartwatch into a remarkable verifier of signatures.

The technology is devised in such a way that it utilizes motion data, i.e. the wrist movement of a person with the help of an accelerometer or a gyroscope, that identifies the process of signing and helps to verify that whether the signature is genuine or fake.

This smartwatch is obviously a much preferable signature verifier in comparison to other devices, since it verifies the entire movement of your wrist than only basing the verification in terms with your arm or finger. From several years experiment in this field have been developed to base this system of verifying signature using motion data but its application has been fed for the first time in this newly manufactured smartwatch.

A rigorous test has also been taken to verify the efficiency of the device on 66 TAU undergraduates. All the students who were wearing smartwatches were asked to provide 15 samples of their signature on a tablet, using its digital pen. Then these students were shown certain video clips and were asked to figure out the signatures.

They were given sufficient time but yet they could not figure out the original signatures. There results were full of forgery. On the other hand, the smart watch has developed to become more smart in terms of its accuracy to verify signatures proved itself by providing top-notch accuracy in verifying signatures without any fallacies.

This is an amazing innovation that will benefit all aspects of one’s life. The hackers have reached up their extreme limit in doing forgeries but with this technology equipped in smartwatches will restrict all sorts of wrong doings.